System and method of control of electronic parcel lockers

ABSTRACT

A system, apparatus, and method for use in delivery of items to a storage unit. The storage unit can include one or several storage receptacles and a control unit that controls and monitors the status of the one or several storage receptacles. The storage unit may be included in a storage unit system that can include one or several storage units and a central control unit. The central control unit can communicate with the one or several storage units, and can receive status and availability updates from the one or several storage units.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/706,281, filed Dec. 5, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,733,647, whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/567,048, filed Dec.5, 2011, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated byreference. This application is related to U.S. application Ser. Nos.13/706,255 and 13/706,234, entitled “System and Method of CoordinatingElectronic Parcel Locker Availability,” and “System and Method ofControlling Item Delivery to an Electronic Parcel Locker,” having U.S.Pat. Nos. 9,052,992 and 9,223,315 respectively. This application isrelated to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/733,657, entitled “A LockMechanism for Securing a Lockable Volume,” the entire contents of whichare herein incorporated by reference. This application is related toU.S. application Ser. No. 15/638,198, filed, Jun. 29, 2017, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,958,877 entitled “System and Method of Control of ElectronicParcel Lockers,” filed concurrently herewith. Any and all applicationsfor which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in theApplication Data Sheet as filed with the present application are herebyincorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.

BACKGROUND Field of the Development

This disclosure relates to the field of the transportation, delivery,and/or receipt of one or several items and the field of communication,tracking, and control of the transportation, delivery, and/or receipt ofone or several items.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments described herein include a system for selectivelyreceiving, storing, and dispensing one or more items, the systemcomprising a first receptacle comprising a securement feature a secondreceptacle comprising a securement feature; and a control unitcomprising a storage device comprising stored instructions which, whenexecuted, cause a processor to provide and deny access to thereceptacles, and to track the availability of each of the receptacles,wherein an identifier indicative of the availability of the receptaclesis stored in the storage element when the receptacle does not contain anitem, and wherein an identifier indicative of the unavailability of thereceptacles is stored in the storage element when the receptaclecontains an item.

In some embodiments, the first receptacle further comprises a featureindicating when the first receptacle is unlocked.

In some embodiments, the feature indicating when the first receptacle isunlocked comprises a light.

In some embodiments, the securement features are controlled by thecontrol unit and access to one of the receptacles is granted to depositan item or to remove a deposited item.

In some embodiments, access to one of the receptacles is granted inresponse to providing verification to the control unit of user age oruser identity.

In some embodiments, access to one of the receptacles to remove adeposited item is granted in response to receipt of item identificationinformation and user identification information matching the itemidentification information and user identification informationassociated with the item.

In some embodiments, the control unit is configured receive dimensionsof an item to be deposited and configured to determine which of thereceptacles having a size sufficient to receive the item to be depositedis available, and granting access to the receptacle having a sizesufficient to receive the item to be deposited.

In some embodiments, the first receptacle and the second receptacle areof different types or sizes, and the control unit is configured toreceive input of a user preference as to type or size of the receptacle,and to provide access to the available receptacle matching the user'spreferences.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a database containinguser information accessible by the control unit, wherein the controlunit is configured to select the receptacle which corresponds to theuser information.

Some embodiments described herein include a method of operating astorage unit comprising a plurality of receptacles and a control unit,the method comprising receiving a user input at the control unit of thestorage unit; querying a database for a receptacle corresponding to theuser input; displaying the location of a receptacle; receiving a userinput selecting the indicated receptacle; unlocking the selectedreceptacle; receiving confirmation that the user has completed atransaction; and locking the receptacle following completion of thetransaction.

In some embodiments, the user instruction comprises a request forretrieval of an item that is located in one of the receptacles.

In some embodiments, the storage unit displays the location of thereceptacle containing the item.

In some embodiments, the user instruction comprises a request fordepositing an item in one of the receptacles.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises requesting sizeinformation of the item.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining if one ofthe receptacles is available for receiving the item and displaying thelocation of at least one available receptacle.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving user or itemidentification information.

In some embodiments, the user or item identification information isreceived via a scanner.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving proof ofpostage purchase.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises printing postage.

Some embodiments described herein include a system for selectivelyreceiving, storing, and dispensing one or more items, the systemcomprising a plurality of receptacles each configured to receive atleast one item means for selectively controlling access to each of theplurality of receptacles in response to a user input; means forindicating which of the plurality of receptacles corresponding to theuser input is available; and means for confirming whether an item hasbeen deposited in or removed from one of the plurality of receptacles.

Some embodiments disclosed herein include a method of depositing an itemcomprising, issuing an item identification code configured to be read bya control unit which controls access to a plurality of receptacles, theitem identification code associated to an item parameter, the itemidentification code and the item parameter being stored in a database;receiving the item identification code at the control unit; requestinguser identification to initiate a deposit transaction; receiving useridentification in the form of an electronic signature; receiving theidentity of the intended recipient for the item; determining which ofthe plurality of receptacles is available to receive the item,;determining which of the available receptacles is configured to receivethe item, based on the received item identification code and theassociated item parameter; indicating which of the plurality ofreceptacles is available and is configured to receive the item;receiving user input selecting one of the indicated receptacles;generating and sending a control signal to a lock on the user selectedreceptacle thereby unlocking the user selected receptacle; receiving theitem in the user selected receptacle; requesting deposit confirmation atthe control unit; receiving deposit confirmation at the control unit;generating and sending a control signal to the lock on the selectedreceptacle in response to the receipt of the deposit confirmation,thereby locking the selected receptacle; and issuing a receiptdocumenting the deposit transaction.

In some embodiments, determining which of the plurality of receptaclesis available to receive the item comprises the control unit querying areceptacle availability database.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding thatthese drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with thedisclosure and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, thedisclosure will be described with additional specificity and detailthrough use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a storage unit.

FIG. 1A depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a storagereceptacle.

FIG. 1B depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of Aninterchangeable storage receptacle module with individual storagereceptacles, and a module receiving area.

FIG. 1C depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a control unit.

FIG. 1D depicts an exploded view of an embodiment of a storage unit.

FIG. 1E depicts a front view of an embodiment of a control unit havingadditional accessibility features.

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a storageunit.

FIGS. 3-3F depict flow charts of different embodiments of operation ofthe control of a storage unit.

FIGS. 4-4A depict functional layouts of one embodiment of a storage unitsystem.

FIGS. 5-5F depict flow charts of different embodiments of operation ofthe control of the storage unit system.

FIGS. 6-6A depict flow charts of different embodiments of a method ofitem delivery utilizing a storage unit system.

FIG. 7 depicts a flow chart of one embodiment of a method of registeringfor use of storage unit system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof In the drawings, similarsymbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictatesotherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detaileddescription, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Otherembodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.It will be readily understood that the aspects of the presentdisclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in theFigures, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a widevariety of different configurations, all of which are explicitlycontemplated and make part of this disclosure.

Some embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to a storage unitconfigured for use in item distribution. The storage unit may be anelectronic parcel locker which acts as a parcel exchange point wherecustomers send paid parcels or retrieve delivered parcels fromelectronic parcel lockers located in convenient locations. The customersmay be customers who have registered to use the storage unit system, ormay be guest users who perform one or more discrete transactions withoutregistration. In some embodiments, the storage unit includes, forexample, a plurality of storage receptacles. In some embodiments, accessto the storage receptacles of the storage unit is controlled by acontrol unit. The control unit, in some embodiments, is configured tocommunicate information to, and receive inputs from a user, which may bea customer or an agent, and may, in response to those inputs, provideuser access to one or more of the storage receptacles. In someembodiments, the control unit of the storage receptacle may be furtherconfigured to allow the creation of labeling for placement on an item.This may include, for example, creation of identification labeling,mailing labeling, such as, for example, destination and/or returnaddress, postage, or any other desired labeling.

Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to an item delivery system thatincludes a plurality of storage units. In some embodiments, theplurality of storage units each communicate with a central control unit.These communications relate to, for example, the availability of storagereceptacles at each of the storage units. In some embodiments, thecontrol unit uses this information relating to the availability ofstorage receptacles to direct the flow of items to thereby maximizeusage of the storage receptacles. A person of skill in the art, havingthe instant specification, will appreciate that a storage unit, and adelivery system disclosed herein may be used with diverse items and indiverse ways.

Storage Unit

As used herein, the term storage unit denotes a place which facilitatespick-up and drop-off of items. In some embodiments, the storage unit isintended to provide a location for short term storage of an item afteran item is dropped off or while the item is waiting to be picked up orreceived by an agent or customer.

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a storage unit 100. As depicted in FIG.1, a storage unit has a top 110, a bottom 112, a front 114, a back (notshown), a first end 118, and a second end 120.

Some embodiments of a storage unit 100 include features to facilitateplacement of the storage unit 100 and protection of the storage unit 100from the elements. In some embodiments, the storage unit 100 comprises abase 122. The base 122 is located at the bottom 112 of the storage unit100. In some embodiments, the base 122 is configured for securing thestorage unit 100 to a placement location, and is constructed of steel,concrete, aluminum, metal, a synthetic material, a natural material, orany other desired material. In some embodiments, the base 122 mayinclude features for securement, such as, for example, screws, bolts,nuts, clips, hooks, or any other desired securement feature. Thesefeatures may include any features capable of securing the storage unit100 to the location at which the storage unit 100 is placed. In someembodiments, the base 122 is integrally formed as a non-removableportion of the storage unit 100, and provides a foundation or supportfor the storage unit as the storage unit 100 is installed or located ata site.

In some embodiments, the base 122 comprises an elevated base. Anelevated base is configured to elevate the storage unit 100 above thesurrounding ground level to thereby protect the storage unit 100 and thecontents of the storage unit 100. In some embodiments, the elevated baseis sized to prevent water from entering the storage unit 100.Specifically, the elevated base is sized to prevent water fromprecipitation, such as, from rain, or snow, from entering the storageunit 100, as well as to prevent any other liquids from flowing into orfrom entering into the storage unit 100.

As depicted in FIG. 1, some embodiments of the storage unit 100 includea roof 124. The roof 124 is positioned above the top 110 of the storageunit 100. The roof 124 is sized to cover some or all of the top 110 ofthe storage unit 100. In some embodiments, the roof 124 is sized so thatthe roof 124 covers a larger area than that occupied by the storage unit100.

The roof 124 may be made of a variety of materials, including, forexample, metal, man-made materials, natural materials, or any otherdesired material. The roof 124 may comprise a variety of shapes. In someembodiments, the roof 124 may comprise one or several substantiallyplanar surfaces, rounded or curved surfaces, or surfaces having anyother desired shape. The roof 124 may be positioned in any desiredangular position relative to the top 110 of the storage unit 100. Insome embodiments, the roof 124 is positioned parallel to the top 110 ofthe storage unit 100, or the roof is positioned non-parallel to the top110 of the storage unit 100. In some embodiments, when the roofcomprises a plurality of pieces, some pieces of the roof may bepositioned parallel to the top 110 of the storage unit 100, and somepieces of the roof 124 is positioned non-parallel to the top 110 of thestorage unit 100. The roof 124 as depicted in FIG. 1 comprises threesubstantially planar pieces angularly positioned relative to the top 110of the storage unit 100, a first substantially planar piece 126, asecond substantially planar piece 128, and a third substantially planarpiece 130. As depicted in FIG. 1, a plurality of planar pieces arearranged so as to allow complete coverage of the top 110 of the storageunit 100.

The storage unit 100 may comprise one or several receptacle units eachcomprising a plurality of storage receptacles 132. Each storagereceptacle 132 comprises a plurality of sides 134 and a door 136. Thecombination of the sides 134 and the door 136 defines a receiving volumeconfigured to receive and hold a deposited item.

The storage receptacles 132 may comprise a variety of shapes and sizes.In some embodiments, the storage unit 100 comprises a plurality ofstorage receptacles 132 of different sizes. Thus, as depicted in FIG. 1,the storage unit 100 includes a first storage receptacle 132 a, a secondstorage receptacle 132 b that is smaller than the first storagereceptacle 132 a, and a third storage receptacle 132 c that is largerthan the first storage receptacle 132 a.

In some embodiments, the door 136 of the storage receptacle 132 isdynamically connected to the storage unit 100. In some embodiments, thedoor 136 of the storage receptacle 132 is dynamically connected to thestorage unit 100 so as to allow rotation of the door 136 relative to thestorage unit 100, so as to allow sliding movement of the door 136relative to the storage unit 100, or to allow any other desired movementof the door 136 relative to the storage unit 100. As depicted in FIG.1A, in one embodiment, the door 136 of the storage receptacle 132 isrotationally connected to one of the walls 134 of the storage receptacle132. In one specific embodiment, the door 136 of the storage receptacle132 is rotationally connected to one of the walls 134 of the storagereceptacle 132 via one or more hinges 138. As depicted in FIG. 1A, theconnection of the door 136 to one of the walls of the storage receptacle134 allow rotational displacement of the door 136 relative to thestorage receptacle 134 and the storage unit 100.

In some embodiments, the storage receptacle 132 includes featuresconfigured to secure the door 136 of the storage receptacle. Thesefeatures may include, for example, a lock, a latch, or any othersecurement feature. In some embodiments, the lock is one of a mechanicallock, an electrical lock, and magnetic lock, or any other type of lock.

The securement feature may interact with cooperating structures tosecure the door 136. The securement feature may be located in anydesired position on the storage receptacle. FIG. 1A shows one embodimentof a location of a securement feature 140 on the door 136 of the storagereceptacle 132. As depicted in FIG. 1A, the securement feature 140located on the door 136 of the storage receptacle 132 cooperates withfeatures of the walls 134 of the storage receptacle 132 to secure thedoor. In some embodiments, the securement feature 140 may comprise apurpose built securement feature. In some embodiments, the securementfeature may comprise a latching feature and a latch engagement anddisengagement feature. The latching feature may be configured toobstruct movement of a locked item. In the case of a storage receptacle132, the latch lockingly engages the door 136 of the storage receptacle132 and obstructs movement of the door 136. In some embodiments, thelatch engagement and disengagement feature may comprise componentsand/or a mechanism interacting together to selectively allow theengagement and/or disengagement of the latch. In some embodiments, thelatch engagement and disengagement feature is a rotatable cylinder of alock. In some embodiments, the latch engagement and disengagementfeature may comprise an electrical actuator connected to the latch. Aperson of skill in the art will recognize that the present disclosure isnot limited to any specific form of locking or any specific lockingmechanism, but broadly encompasses any lock or form of locking used inconnection with the storage unit.

In some embodiments, the securement feature is configured for remoteoperation. Specifically, in some embodiments, the securement feature 140is controllable in response to received signals, such as, for example,electric, light, optical, radio, or any other signal. The receivedsignals may come from a control unit including a controller as will befurther described in more detail below. In some embodiments, forexample, the securement feature 140 is controllably disengaged so as toallow access to the securement receptacle 132.

In some embodiments, the storage receptacles 132 may be configured withfeatures to expedite recognition of an accessible storage receptacle132. Thus, in some embodiments, the storage receptacle 132 may compriseone or several receptacle designating features that facilitaterecognition of which of the several storage receptacles is accessible.In some embodiments, these receptacle features may include, for example,a feature configured to open the door 136 of the storage receptacle whenthe securement feature of the storage receptacle is disengaged such as,for example, a spring, a motor, or any other feature, a designator, suchas, for example, a light, or any other desired feature.

In some embodiments, a storage receptacle includes a light 142. Thislight 142 may be any desired type of light emitting object, such as, forexample, a light bulb, a LED, or any other light emitting object. Insome embodiments, the operation of the light 142 changes based on theaccessibility of any of the storage receptacles 132. Thus, if the light142 is normally on, the light 142 may be turned off to indicate that thestorage receptacle 132 is accessible. Similarly, if the light 142 light142 is normally turned off, the light 142 light 142 may be turned on toindicate that the storage receptacle 132 is accessible. Similartechniques may be used with other indicators to designate which, if any,of the storage receptacles 132 are accessible. In some embodiments thelight is located, for example, on one of the outside edges of the one ofthe walls 134 of the storage receptacle 136. In some embodiments, and asdepicted in FIG. 1A, the light 142 is located along the outside edge ofthe wall 134 opposite the wall to which the hinges 138 are attached.

In some embodiments, light 142 may be disposed in the interior ofstorage receptacle 132. light 142. The light 142 is mounted on or withinone of the walls 134 or the door 136 of the storage receptacle 132. Asdepicted in FIG. 1B, the light 142 is mounted on the wall 134 oppositethe door 136 of the storage receptacle 132. The light 142 is configuredfor lighting when the storage receptacle 132 is accessible, and/or, whenthe door 136 of the storage receptacle 132 is opened, thereby linkingthe operation of the light 142 to the position of the door.Advantageously, the linking between the light 142 and the door 136 ofthe storage receptacle 132 allows lighting of the receiving area of thestorage receptacle 132 when the door 136 of the storage receptacle 132is opened, and thereby facilitate a user's ability to see the contentsof the storage receptacle 132 when they are accessing the storagereceptacle 132. In some embodiments, the light 142 may be used inconnection with other features to allow easy identification of anaccessible storage receptacle 132. Thus, in some embodiments, the light142 is visible to a user when the storage receptacle is accessible.

In some embodiments the light 142 is disposed on an outer surface thedoor 136, such that the light 142 is visible to a user standing in frontof the storage unit 100. In some embodiments, the light is a receptacledesignating feature. The light 142 may indicate which of the storagereceptacles 132 is available or is activated for use. The light 142

In some embodiments the storage receptacle 132 further includes, afeature configured to detect the position of the door 136, such as, forexample, whether the door 136 is open or closed. In some embodiments,the door position detection feature comprises, for example, a sensor, aswitch, or any other feature capable of detecting if the door 136 isopen. In some embodiments, the door position detection feature isintegrated into another feature of the storage receptacle, such as, forexample, the securement feature 140, or a switch associated with thelight 142.

The storage receptacle 132 further includes features configured todetect the presence or absence of an item within the receiving area ofthe storage receptacle 132. In some embodiments, the item detectionfeature configured to detect the presence or absence of an item withinthe receiving area of the storage receptacle 132 comprises, for example,a sensor 145. The sensor 145 may be a camera, or any other featurepossessing the desired capabilities. The sensor 145 may be located onone of the walls 134 or on the door 136. In one embodiment, for example,the sensor comprises for example, a load cell or a strain gaugeconfigured to sense when a load is applied to the storage receptacle132.

In some embodiments, the storage receptacle 132 may be configured tomaintain climatic conditions within the storage receptacle 132.Specifically, in some embodiments, the storage receptacle may beconfigured to allow maintenance of a temperature and relative humiditylevel that are different than the levels of the area in which thestorage unit 100 containing the storage receptacle 132 is placed. Insome such embodiments, the storage receptacle 132 may be climatecontrolled by connection to an HVAC system and/or air humidifier tofacilitate the maintenance of desired climate conditions within thestorage receptacle 132. Additionally, in some embodiments, the storagereceptacle 132 is sealed and/or insulted to facilitate the maintenanceof desired climatic conditions within the storage receptacle 132.

In some embodiments, the storage unit 100 is configured for collectionof items deposited by a customer for delivery. In some embodiments,these features may include, for example, a storage receptacle 132comprising a mail slot 141, disposed in the door 136, to allowcollection of envelopes, postcards, flats, or any other thin item. Insome embodiments, these features may comprise a storage receptacleassociated with a collection bin 143. The collection bin 143 may belocated inside the storage receptacle such that items placed in thestorage receptacle 132 are deposited in the collection bin.

In some embodiments, a storage receptacle module is modularly installedinto a storage unit 100. In some embodiments, a storage receptaclemodule comprises one or several connected storage receptacles 132.Advantageously, a storage receptacle module may facilitate adaptation ofa storage unit 100 to meet a range of customer needs. In someembodiments, for example, a first storage receptacle module may beremoved from the storage unit 100 and replaced by a second storagereceptacle module having storage receptacles 132 different storage areadimensions. The dimensions of the storage receptacles 132 of the secondstorage receptacle module may be selected based on customer demand forspecific sizes of storage receptacles 132 in a particular storage unit100 depending on use patterns, specific customer requests, and thelocation of the storage unit 100.

In some embodiments, the storage sets are configured with featuresconfigured for modular use with the storage unit 100. In someembodiments, these features cooperatively interact with features of thestorage unit 100 to selectively secure the storage set in the storageunit 100. In one embodiment, and as depicted in FIG. 1B, a storagereceptacle module 131 is shown removed from the module receiving area133 of the storage unit 100. As seen, the storage receptacle module 131and the module receiving area 133 comprise corresponding shapes anddimensions, such that the storage receptacle module 131 fits within themodule receiving area 133. In some embodiments, the storage receptaclemodule 131 is secured within the module receiving area 133. In someembodiments, the storage receptacle module 131 is secured within themodule receiving area 133 through the interaction of features of thestorage receptacle module 131 with features of the module receiving area133.

In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 1B, the storage receptaclemodule 131 comprises a plurality of features 137 configured tosecuringly connect to an attachment or connection mechanism 135 of themodule receiving area 133. In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIG.1B, the storage receptacle module features 137 comprises a plurality ofhooks attached to the back of the storage receptacle modules 131,configured to engage the attachment or connection mechanism 135 disposedin the module receiving area 133. The first and second set of storagereceptacles have the same features 137, such that each storage set,although it may comprise variously sized storage receptacles 132, eachfits the standardized installing hardware.

In some embodiments, one or both of the storage receptacle module 131and the module receiving area 133 comprise features to facilitateengagement between the plurality of features of the storage receptaclemodule 131 and the plurality of features of the module receiving area133. The storage receptacle modules 131 may comprise varying typesand/or sizes of individual storage receptacles 132. The storagereceptacle modules are configured to be interchangeable within storageunit 100. For example, if desired, a storage receptacle module 131having small storage receptacles 132 may be removed, and interchangedwith a storage receptacle module 131 having large storage receptacles132. To facilitate interchangeability, the varying storage receptaclemodules 131 have identical mounting hardware and electrical connectionssuch that each storage receptacle module 131 fits within any modulereceiving area 133 and provides electrical connection to the controlunit 144.

To facilitate interchanging the storage receptacle modules 131, eachstorage receptacle module 131 has features configured to attach orconnect the storage receptacle module 132 with the attachment orconnection mechanism 135 disposed within the module receiving area 133.As was indicated above, in some embodiments, as the storage receptaclemodule 131 is inserted into module receiving area 133, the storagereceptacle module features 137 engage with attachment or connectionpoints 135. A slidable plate 139 is attached to a vertical surfacewithin module receiveing area 133, and is vertically displaceablebetween a first position in which the storage receptacle module features137 do not securingly engage the module receiving area features 135, anda second position in which the storage receptacle module features 137 dosecuringly engage the module receiving area features 135 within themodule receiving area 133. In one embodiment, the storage receptaclemodule 131 is installed into the module receiving area 133 when theslidable plate 139 is located in its first position. After installationof the storage receptacle module 131 into the module receiving area 133,the slidable plate 139 is moved into its second position, during whichmovement, the storage receptacle module features 137 engage with themodule receiving area features 135 and secure the storage receptaclemodule 131 in the module receiving area 133.

In some embodiments, the slidable plate is moved from a first positionto a second position, or vice versa, by operating, for example, a screw,a ratchet, a jack, a mechanical lift, a hydraulic lift, a pneumaticlift, or any other mechanism, feature, or system capable of facilitatingengagement between the plurality of features 137 on the storagereceptacle module 131 and the plurality of features 135 in the modulereceiving area 133. In one embodiment, and as depicted in FIG. 1B, themodule receiving area features 135 are located in a slidable plate 139.The slidable plate 139 is positioned substantially planar with any ofthe walls of the module receiving area 133. In some embodiments, and asdepicted in FIG. 1B, the slidable plate 139 is located on the wallopposite to the open side of the module receiving area 133.

Referring again to FIG. 1, some embodiments of a storage unit 100further include a control unit 144. As more clearly depicted in FIG. 1C,the control unit 144 includes, for example, a control cabinet 146including a screen 148, a scanner 150, a printer 152, a payment feature154, a security camera 155, and a service door 156.

In some embodiments, the control cabinet 146 of the control unit 144 isconnected to the plurality of storage receptacles 132 of the storageunit 100. The storage cabinet has a front 158, back 160, top 162, bottom164, first side (not shown), and second side 165. In some embodiments,the control cabinet 146 is integrally formed with portions of some ofthe plurality of storage receptacles 132 of the control unit 144. Insome embodiments, the first side and the second side 165 of the controlcabinet 146 is adjacent to and/or affixed to a plurality of the storagereceptacles 132.

The control cabinet 146 may comprise a variety of shapes and sizes, andmay be made of a variety of materials. In some embodiments, the controlcabinet 146 includes features and is made of materials to protect thecontents of the control cabinet 146 from man-made and natural risks. Insome embodiments the control cabinet 146 is configured to allowselective access to the contents of the control cabinet 146. In someembodiments, such configuration may advantageously allow themaintenance, repair, and general upkeep of the contents of the controlcabinet 146. In some embodiments, access to the control cabinet 146 isprovided through, for example, the service door 156.

The service door 156 is configured for movement between a first openposition and a second closed position. In some embodiments, the servicedoor 156 is connected with the control cabinet 146 so as to allowmovement to and between the first open position and the second closedposition. In some embodiments, the dynamic connection of the servicedoor 156 to the control cabinet 146 is achieved, for example, throughthe use of hinges, clasps, lips, protrusion, engaging members, or avariety of other features. In some embodiments, these features maycooperate with corresponding features on the control cabinet 146 tosecure the service door 156.

In some embodiments, the service door 156 further includes one or morelocking mechanisms. The locking mechanism is configured to secure theservice door 156 when the service door is in its second, closedposition. The locking mechanism may comprise a variety of mechanisms,including, for example, a mechanical lock, an electric lock, a magneticlock, or any other type of locking mechanism. In some embodiments, thelock is controlled via the control unit 144, with a key, or in any otherdesired fashion.

In some embodiments, the control cabinet 146 includes, for example, aservice door 156. The service door 156 is located, for example, on anexposed face of the control cabinet 146. In one embodiment, the servicedoor 156 is located, for example, on the front of the control cabinet146.

In some embodiments, the front 158 of the control cabinet 146 isopenable to reveal the internal components of the control cabinet 146.The front 158 of the control cabinet 146 may be attached to the controlcabinet 146 via a hinge or a plurality of hinges, Thus, as the front 158of the control cabinet 146 opens on the hinge or plurality of hinges,each of the components disposed on the front 158 of the control cabinet146 moves with the front 158 of the control cabinet 146. In someembodiments, a lock or plurality of locks (not shown) is located on thefront 158 of the control cabinet 146 configured to lock and secure thefront 158 and prevent unauthorized access into the internal area of thecontrol cabinet 146.

The control unit 144 depicted in FIG. 1C includes a screen 148. Thescreen 148 is configured to display information to a user. The screen148 may comprise a CRT screen, a plasma screen, a LCD screen, or anyother desired screen type. In some embodiments the screen 148 is pairedwith other output features configured to transmit information to a user,such as, for example, a speaker, a display, or any other informationtransmitting feature. In some embodiments the screen 148 has atouch-screen functionality. In some embodiments, the screen 148 isconfigured to receive an electronic signature from a user using asignature capture process. In some embodiments, the screen 148 is pairedwith an input feature configured to allow a user to input informationand/or commands to the control unit 144. In some embodiments, the inputfeature may comprise, for example, a touch-screen, a keypad, amicrophone, or any other user input device.

Referring now to FIG. 1D, in some embodiments, the roof 124 comprises aplurality of planar pieces attached to the top 110 of storage unit 100,and positioned close together. The roof 124 extends past the verticalplane of the front 114 of the storage unit 100. The roof 124 maycomprise an overhang canopy which is resistant to weather. For example,the roof 124 may be constructed of a material which is impervious towater or wind, such that storage unit 100 is not subjected to rain orsnow falling onto the roof 124. In some embodiments, roof 124 issupported by legs 125.

In some embodiments, the roof 124 may comprise solar panels configuredto generate electricity for storage in a battery or to provideelectrical energy to the storage unit 100, or both.

In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 1E, the control cabinet 146may comprise additional features which increase user accessibility tousing control cabinet 146. For example, the control cabinet 146 maycomprise an easy access keypad 190, a headset jack for TDD/TTYcommunication 192, braille labels 194, a near field communication module195, a printer 152 for printing receipts and/or postage, and an audiosystem comprising external speakers (not shown). In some embodiments, areceipt is generated for every transaction, which may be emailed orotherwise sent to the customer or user. In some embodiments, a customeror user can elect to receive a receipt, for example following a drop-offor deposit transaction, which may be printed by the printer 152.

The control unit 144 further includes a scanner 150. A scanner 150 maycomprise features configured to read a visual identifier including, forexample, a text string, a computer readable code such as, for example, abarcode, a 1-D barcode, a 2-D barcode, a QR-code, an RFID tag, or anyother desired computer readable code, a biometric identificationfeature, a color pattern, and image, or any other visual identifier. Ascanner may comprise a reader such as, for example, a barcode reader, apen-type reader, a laser scanner, a CCD reader, a camera based reader,an omni-directional barcode scanner, or any other reader type. Thescanner 150 is configured to receive control signals and to transmitsignals corresponding to information from the scanned item. In someembodiments, the scanner 150 may comprise a near field communication(NFC) module. In this embodiment, the NFC module facilitates using amobile device to provide information to the storage unit 100.

The control unit 144 further comprises a printer 152. The printer isconfigured to print any desired items, including, for example, textstrings, images, computer readable codes, or any other desired item. Insome embodiments, the printer 152 is configured to print labels, suchas, for example, address labels, postage, description labels,computer-readable code labels, or any other desired label. The printer152 is configured to for printing in response to received controlsignals. In some embodiments printer 152 may be configured to printreceipts. In various steps of the processes described herein, forexample, upon payment of postage or insurance on a package, a printedreceipt may be generated and provided to the user. A receipt may also begenerated with confirmation of pick-up or delivery of an item.

The control unit 144 further comprises a payment feature 154. Thepayment feature 154 is configured to receive payment from a user. Thepayment feature may comprise features configured to receive cash from auser, to conduct an electronic transaction with a user, including, forexample, credit card, bank card, or any other form of electronicpayment, or to conduct any other desired transaction with the user. Thepayment feature 154 may be configured to receive control signals and totransmit signals relating to the transaction. In some embodiments, thepayment feature 154 may comprise a credit card reader such as, forexample, the Dynamag Magnetic Stripe Credit Card Reader by Magtek. Insome embodiments, the payment feature 154 comprises a near fieldcommunication module, which facilitates payments using a mobile/digitalwallet, a tablet computer, a smart phone, or other similar devices withNFC capability.

The control unit 144 further comprises a camera 155. The camera 155 maybe configured to provide photographic and/or video documentation of theusers of the control panel. In some embodiments, the camera 155 isconfigured to capture and save all recorded images. In one embodiment,the camera 155, and associated picture memory, is configured to captureand record one or several images taken when a user enters, for example,their user identification or user password. In some embodiments, thecamera 155 is configured to capture and record one or several imageswhen a user confirms deposit of an item to the storage receptacle 132,or removal of an item from the storage receptacle 132. In someembodiments, the camera 155 may comprise a plurality of cameras locatedon different positions on the storage unit 100. These cameras arepositioned and directed to provide complete camera coverage of theentire storage unit. Similar to camera 155, the images recorded by thesecameras are constantly stored, or specific images are stored from thesecameras. In some embodiments, a camera may be installed on the roof 124.The roof camera may be positioned such that the roof camera's field ofvision encompasses the front of the storage unit 100, including thecontrol cabinet 146 and the storage receptacles 132. This positioning ofthe roof camera allows for photographic and video monitoring of thestorage receptacles themselves, including recording user's access to thestorage receptacles. This may provide evidence that a pick-up or dropoff occurred, or evidence of the identity of a user who picks up ordrops off an item.

In some embodiments, the features of the storage unit 100 may beconfigured so as to allow identification of a user based on a driver'slicense or other government issued form of identification. Beneficially,this capability may allow the storage unit 100 to determine the identityof the user and the age of the user. In some embodiments, the picture ofthe owner of the government issued identification that is found on theidentification may be compared with the image of the user taken atlog-in. Facial recognition techniques may be used to determine if theuser is the same person identified by the government issuedidentification. In some embodiments, the use of government issuedidentification to identify the user may allow non-registered users touse the storage unit to send and/or receive items. In some embodiments,use of government issued identification to identify the user may be usedto enable delivery of restricted delivery items which require that theperson identified on the item is the only recipient of the item, andage-restricted items such as, for example, alcohol, tobacco, ammunition,weapons, medication, or any other age restricted items.

The features of the storage receptacles 132 and the control unit 144communicatingly interact. FIG. 2 depicts a schematic illustrationshowing one exemplary embodiment of the communicating interactionswithin the storage unit 100.

The storage unit 100 shown in FIG. 2 includes a receptacle unit 102 anda control unit 144. The receptacle unit 102 may comprise a plurality ofstorage receptacles 132. The receptacle unit 102 depicted in FIG. 2comprises three storage receptacles 132. The storage receptacles 132each comprise a plurality of features that may include, for example,securement feature 140, light 142, and/or any other desired features,such as, for example, an interior light, a door position detectionfeature, and/or an item detection feature.

The control unit 144 may comprise a variety of features performing avariety of functions. In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 2,the control unit 144 comprises, for example, a processor 168, memory170, a communication feature 172, a screen 148, a scanner 150, a printer152, and a payment feature 154. The control unit 144 may include acentral bus 117 linking the several features together.

The processor 168 may comprise or be a component of a processing systemimplemented with one or more processors. The one or more processors maybe implemented with any combination of general-purpose microprocessors,microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmablegate array (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers,state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware components, dedicatedhardware finite state machines, or any other suitable entities that mayperform calculations or other manipulations of information. Theprocessor 168 may comprise, for example, a microprocessor, such as aPentium® processor, a Pentium® Pro processor, a 8051 processor, a MIPS®processor, a Power PC® processor, an Alpha® processor, or the like. Theprocessor 168 typically has conventional address lines, conventionaldata lines, and one or more conventional control lines.

The processor 168 is in communicating connection with memory 170. Thememory 170 may include, for example, RAM memory, flash memory, ROMmemory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removabledisk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art.The memory may include, for example, software, at least one softwaremodule, instructions, steps of an algorithm, or any other information.In some embodiments, the processor 168 performs processes in accordancewith instruction stored in the memory 170. These processes may include,for example, controlling features and/or components of the receptacleunit 102, controlling features and/or components of the control unit144, requesting information from features and/or components of thereceptacle unit 102, requesting information from features and/orcomponents of the control unit 144, transmitting instruction and/orcontrol signals to the features and/or components of the receptacle unit102, transmitting instructions and/or control signals to features and/orcomponents of the control unit, requesting information from the user,transmitting information to the user, processing information receivedfrom features and/or components of the receptacle unit 102 and/or of thecontrol unit 144, processing information received from the user, and/orany other desired processes.

In some embodiments, memory 170 comprises one or more databases 171. Inone embodiment, the database may contain register user identificationinformation, including, for example, the user identification and userpassword for registered users, storage receptacle information, includingwhether a storage receptacle 132 is available, and the location, itemidentification, and recipient identification of items stored in thestorage unit 100.

In some embodiments, the processor 168 is in communicating connectionwith a communication feature 172. The communication feature 172 isconfigured for wired, and/or wireless communication. In someembodiments, the communication feature 172 communicates via telephone,cable, fiber-optic, or any other wired communication network. In someembodiments, the communication feature 172 may communicate via cellularnetworks, WLAN networks, or any other wireless network. Thecommunication feature 172 is configured to receive instructions and totransmit and receive information. This information may relate to, forexample, required maintenance of the storage unit 100, availability ofstorage receptacles 132 in the storage unit 100, status of items in thestorage receptacles 132, such as, for example, whether an item isawaiting retrieval, transaction information, and/or any other desiredinformation. In some embodiments, the communication feature 172communicates via a wired or wireless communication network with one ormore network services (e.g., web services) on one or more networkservers (not shown). For example, some of the functionality describedwith respect to the control unit and other functionality as describedfurther below may be performed by a remote network service, remote fromthe control unit 144. The control unit 144 may communicate via thecommunication feature 172 with the remote network service to exchangedata and provide the interactivity necessary with a user of the storageunit 100. In one embodiment, the network service may be cloud servicethat may include processors, memory, and the like as described above. Inone embodiment, the network service may include NFC modules configuredto communicate information from mobile devices, such as smart phones, asdescribed above.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the processor 168 is in communicating connectionwith the screen 148. In some embodiments, the processor 168 isconfigured to transmit control signals to the screen 148 to control thetransmission of information to the user, and to receive signalscorresponding to user inputs from the screen 148.

The processor 168 is further in communicating connection with each ofthe scanner 150, the printer 152, and the payment feature 154. Theprocessor 168 is configured to transmit control signals to the scanner150 and to receive information relating to a scanned item from thescanner 150, to transmit control signals to the printer 152corresponding to, for example, to instructions to print a label, and totransmit control signals to the payment feature 154 and receiveinformation relating to the transaction from the payment feature 154.

In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 2, the processor 168communicates via a communication link with some or all of the storagereceptacles 132 for sending control signals to the storage receptacles132. In some embodiments, the communication with some or all of thestorage receptacles 132 may comprise sending control signals to controlthe features of each of the storage receptacles 132, including, forexample, the securement feature 140, and the light 142. In someembodiments, the processor 168 is configured to send control signals tothe securement feature 140 to secure and/or to unsecure the door 136 ofthe storage receptacle 132, and to receive signals from the securementfeature 140 relating to the securement status of the securement feature140, such as, whether the securement feature is securing the storagereceptacle 132.

In some embodiments, the processor 168 is configured to send controlsignals to the light 142. In some embodiments, these control signalscorrespond to turning the light 142 on, or to shutting the light 142 offIn some embodiments, the processor 168 is configured to send controlsignals to the sensor 145, or the climate control equipment.

In some embodiments, the processor 168 is configured to send controlsignals to the receptacle designating feature 166 or the light 142.These signals may correspond to activating the receptacle designatingfeature 166 or the light 142 when the associated storage receptacle 132is unsecured, and to de-activating the receptacle designating feature166 or the light 142 when the associated storage receptacle has beenre-secured.

In some embodiments, an address is provided for the storage unit 100.This address may be a text string, standard address comprising a streetand a number, or a modified address that may identify the storage unit100 without reference to a standard address. In some embodiments, thismodified address may comprise a unique number, the zip-code in which thestorage unit 100 is located and a unique number. In some embodiments,each of the storage receptacles may comprise a unique address. Thisaddress may be the same as the address for the storage unit 100, plusadditional digits to allow unique identification of the storagereceptacle 132. In some further embodiments, and using similarprincipals, customers registered for use of the storage unit may beassigned a storage unit address. This address may be tied to a preferredstorage unit, such that the user's address is the address of the storageunit 100 plus additional text, or may be independent of any storageunit. In some embodiments, this storage unit address may allowdeliveries addressed, not to the recipient, but to the recipient'sstorage unit address. Advantageously, such addressing may prevent theoriginator of the item from knowing the identity and physical address ofthe recipient.

In some embodiments, the address may be utilized by a user associatedwith a social media network. For example, the address may be assigned toa user of a social network site, such as Facebook, or Twitter, or adating service, and may facilitate physical delivery of items to thesocial media user, while maintaining anonymity of the social media user.In some embodiments, the address may facilitate the physical exchange ofitems between more than one user of a social media network. In someembodiments, the address may be assigned to a user who buys from vendorswho cater or sell to users of social media networks. This mechanismallows for vendors or businesses to interact and deliver items throughsocial media while maintaining the anonymity of the users who buy fromsuch vendors or businesses.

A person of skill in the art will recognize that the processor 168 isconfigured for communicating interaction with other features of thereceptacle unit 102 and/or of the control unit 144.

The memory 170 of the control unit 144 may comprise a variety ofinstructions configured for different item delivery scenarios.

Processes for Operating and Using Storage Units

FIGS. 3-3C illustrate different methods of operating a storage unit 100.FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of a process 300 of controlling a storageunit 100. The process 300 begins by displaying a prompt to a user asdepicted at block 301. This prompt or message may be a request for inputsuch as, for example, user identification, item identification, taskidentification, item delivery, item retrieval, payment, an instruction,storage receptacle selection, or any other input, or may be aninformation display.

The process 300 continues to block 302 and receives a user input. Insome embodiments, this input is in response to the prompt displayed inblock 300. This input may correspond to, for example, useridentification, item identification, task identification, payment, itemdelivery, item retrieval, storage receptacle selection, or any otherinput.

The process 300 continues to block 304 and executes stored instructionscorresponding to the user input. These instructions may correspond to,for example, the functions of the storage unit 100, including, forexample, requesting information, transmitting information, disengaging alock, engaging a lock, receiving an input, scanning an identifier, andreceiving payment.

After execution of stored instructions corresponding to the user inputat block 304, the process 300 moves to decision state 306 and determineswhether additional user input is required. If additional user input isrequired, the process moves to block 300. If no additional user input isrequired, the process terminates at block 308.

The general method of operation outlined in FIG. 3 is generally appliedin all of the other processes performed with the storage unit 100. Thus,this general method is applied in, for example, the process of FIG. 3Awhich depicts one embodiment of a process 300A of controlling thestorage unit 100 during item pickup and item delivery. The process 300Abegins at block 301A, when an item is deposited in a storage unit, whichtriggers a sending notification to a user or the intended recipient ofthe item. The notification may be sent as an email, an SMS text message,a written notice, or by any other notification method. Afternotification is sent, process 300A moves to block 302A when control unit144 receives identification information from the user. Theidentification may comprise a broad range of information and may bereceived by the control unit in a variety of formats. In someembodiments, the identification comprises, for example, a username andpassword, a unique account number, and unique information stored in acomputer readable medium. In some embodiments, the identificationinformation provides input to the control unit by a user action, suchas, typing, speaking, selecting, or scanning. In some embodiments, forexample, a user can enter a username and password by typing the usernameand password, by speaking his username and password into a microphone,by spelling his username and password into a microphone, by scanning acomputer readable code, or by any other desired method.

After receiving identification information from the user, the process300A moves to decision state 303A and determines whether the informationidentifies a user. In some embodiments, this step can comprise acomparison of received identification information with stored useridentification information. If the identification information does notidentify a user, the process 300A terminates as depicted at block 304A.

If the identification information identifies a user, the process 300Amoves to block 306A and the storage unit 100 displays the availabilityand location of items scheduled for pickup by the user. In someembodiments, these items may be at the instant storage unit 100, and inother embodiments, these items may be located at a different storageunit 100.

After displaying the availability and location of an item scheduled forpickup by the user, in some embodiments, the process 300A moves todecision state 308A and determines whether the item is located at thepresent storage unit 100. If the item is not at the present storage unit100, then the process ends at block 310A.

If the item is at the present storage unit 100, the process 300A movesto block 312A and the user is prompted to pick-up the item. The process300A moves to decision state 314A and determines if the user has electedto pick-up the item. If the user has elected to pick-up the item, thenthe user is allowed to pick-up the item at block 316A.

After the user picks-up the item at block 316A, or if the storage unitdetermines at decision state 314A that the user has not elected topick-up the item, the process moves to block 318A, where the user isprompted to indicate whether they will deposit an item for delivery. Theprocess 300A moves to decision state 320A and determines if the userelected to deposit the item for delivery. If it is determined that theuser elected to deposit the item for delivery, the user is allowed todeposit the item at block 322A. After the user has deposited the item atblock 322A, or if the storage unit 100 determines that the user did notelect to deposit the item for delivery, the process ends at block 324A.Although the processes herein are described with regard to a singleitem, the processes could be carried out with multiple items andmultiple users.

The process of controlling the storage unit during item pick-up and/ordelivery may include further sub-processes. These sub-processes mayinclude, for example, processing further steps relating to the itempick-up and relating to the item delivery. FIG. 3B depicts oneembodiment of a process for item pick-up 300B. The process 300B beginsat block 302B when the storage unit 100 receives a user input indicatingintent to pick-up an item. After receiving this input, the process 300Bmoves to decision state 304B to determine if there is an item availablefor pick-up by the user. This determination can, in some embodiments, beperformed locally at the storage unit 100, or in some embodiments, thisdetermination may comprise transmitting a request to the storage unitsystem control unit for whether the user has an item available forpick-up at the storage unit. If no item is available for pick-up, theprocess terminates at block 306B

If an item is available for pick-up at the storage unit 100, the process300B indicates the storage receptacle 132 containing the item availablefor pick-up. This indication may be achieved in a variety of ways. Insome embodiments, for example, the screen 148 shows a depiction of thestorage unit 100, and visually indicates the storage receptacle 132 inwhich the item is being stored. In some embodiments, the visualindication of the location of the item may include, for example, aschematic illustration of the storage unit with a visual indication,such as highlighting, one or several storage receptacles containingitems for pick-up. In some other embodiments, the position of storagereceptacles 132 containing an item available for pick-up may beindicated through, for example, activation of a light, or any otherdesired method.

The process continues at step 310B, where control unit sends a signal toopen the door 136 of the storage receptacle 132, and the door 136 of thereceptacle 132 opens or is made accessible to the user by the controlunit 114. In some embodiments, opening of the door comprises, forexample, unlocking of the securement feature 140, or causing the door136 of the receptacle to move to an opened position.

After opening the door 136 of the storage receptacle 132 as depicted inblock 310B, the process moves to block 312B, and the storage unit 100requests confirmation by the user that he picked-up the item in thedesignated storage receptacle 132.

The storage unit 100 receives confirmation that the user picked-up theitem in the designated storage receptacle 132 at block 314B. In someembodiments, for example, the user provides a signature if required forpick-up, and additionally confirms the pick-up via signature, or otherinput to the storage unit 100. In some embodiments, the user signs in asignature capture space located on a touch screen, and the signature iselectronically captured. In some embodiments, storage receptacle 132comprises a scale or other device to detect a change in the weightwithin the volume of the storage receptacle. If a user picks up an item,the scale senses the reduction in weight, and the reduction in weightmay be a pick-up confirmation provided to the storage unit 100. In someembodiments, sensor 145 may provide a sensing function to sense when anitem has been removed from the storage unit 132, and may provideconfirmation of item pickup to storage unit 100.

Upon receiving confirmation that the user picked-up the item in thedesignated storage receptacle 132 as depicted in block 314B, the process300B, advances to block 316B, where the door 136 of the storagereceptacle 132 is closed and/or secured. In some embodiments, the door136 of the storage receptacle 132 is configured to automatically close.In some embodiments, the door 136 of the storage receptacle 132 isconfigured to controllably close. In some embodiments, the door 136 ofthe storage receptacle 132 may not be configured to controllably orautomatically close.

In some embodiments, the securement feature 140 of the storagereceptacle 132 is configured for activation upon user confirmation ofpick-up, or upon the elapsing of a specified time, such as an automaticlog-off In some embodiments, the securement feature 140 is activated asdepicted in block 314B to re-secure the door 136 of the storagereceptacle 132.

After the door 136 of the storage receptacle 132 has been closed and/orsecured as depicted in FIG. 3B, the process 300B advances to decisionstate 318B, where it determines if another item is available for pick-upby the user. If another item is available for pick-up by the user, theprocess returns to block 308B. If another item is not available forpick-up by the user, then the process 300B terminates at block 320B.

FIG. 3C provides further detail into the steps of some processes used inpicking-up an item from a storage unit. Specifically, FIG. 3C depictsone embodiment of a process 300C for requesting confirmation of itempick-up as depicted in Block 312B of FIG. 3B. Accordingly, the steps ofthe present process 300C occur within block 312B of FIG. 3B.

As depicted in FIG. 3C, the process 300C for requesting confirmation ofitem pick-up begins at block 322C by prompting the user to pick-up theitem. This prompt may be, for example, in addition to an indication ofwhich storage receptacle 132 contains the item, and in addition toopening of the storage receptacle 132 containing the item.

After prompting the user to pick-up the item, the process 300C advancesto block 324C where the user is prompted to scan an identifier on theitem. In some embodiments, this may comprise, for example, scanning acomputer readable code, receiving a radio frequency transmission,scanning a text string, or scanning any other identifying feature of theitem.

After prompting the user to scan the identifier as depicted in block324C, the process 300C advances to block 326C, where the storage unit100 receives data from the scanning of the identifier.

After receiving data from the scanning of the identifier as depicted inblock 326C, the storage unit 100 prompts the user to confirm the pick-upof the item at block 328C. The process 300C then advances to decisionstate 330C where it determines whether a user signature is required. Ifa signature is required, the storage unit 100 prompts the user toprovide a signature as depicted in block 332C. The storage unit thenreceives the signature as depicted in block 334C. After receiving thesignature as depicted in block 334C, or after determining that nosignature is required in decision state 330C, the process 300Cterminates at block 336C.

The steps of process 300C as depicted are illustrative, and need not beperformed in the order described. For example, steps 324C and 325C maybe performed prior to step 322C.

FIG. 3D depicts one embodiment of a process 300D for deposit of an item.The process 300D begins at block 302D when the storage unit 100 receivesa user input indicating a user's intent to deposit an item at thestorage unit 100.

The process 300D then moves to block 304D, where the user input isrequested relating to the size of the item for deposit. In someembodiments, the user may respond to this request by inputting, forexample, the dimensions of the item for deposit, or specifying thegeneral item size, such as, for example, small, medium, or large. Insome embodiments, the request to input the size of the item for depositmay provide general guidance as to how to classify an item as small,medium, or large.

In some embodiments, a scale, a sensor, or measuring device may belocated at the storage unit 100, or may be incorporated into storageunit 100, providing a user with an opportunity to measure the size andweight of an item and provide the measurements to the storage unit 100.A user may manually input the measured item dimensions into the controlunit 144, or the scale, sensor, or measuring device may communicate themeasured item dimensions to control unit 144. In some embodiments, theitem may be provided in a flat-rate box, or one of a set of standardsize boxes. In this embodiment, the user may select or input anidentifier from the flat-rate or standard size box. The control unit 144recognizes the identifier for the flat rate or standard size box, andselects appropriately sized storage receptacles 132 for deposit of theitem in the flat-rate or standard size box.

After requesting that the user input information relating to thedimensions of the item for deposit, the process 300D moves to decisionstate 306D and determines whether the user indicated the item size. Insome embodiments, the item size may be indicated to the control unit 144according to the postage required or paid, where the postage requiredcorresponds to a flat-rate or standard size box.

If the user indicated the item size, the process 300D advances todecision state 308D, and determines whether any storage receptacles 132of adequate size to hold the deposited item are available. In someembodiments, this determination includes, for example, a query of thereceptacle database 171 to determine which receptacles are available andthe sizes of the available receptacles.

If no storage unit of adequate size is available, the process moves toblock 310D and communicates to the user that no storage receptacles 132of adequate size are available in the storage unit 100. In someembodiments, the control unit 144 may display on screen 148 the locationof the nearest storage unit 100 having an available storage receptacle132 appropriate to the item or item size. In some embodiments, screen148 may display the location of the nearest delivery or pick-up points,such as the nearest post offices to the storage unit 100. In someembodiments, this information may be provided on a print out, a receipt,email, or SMS message to the user.

If storage units of adequate size are available, or if the user does notindicate the item size as determined at decision state 306D, the process300D moves to block 312D and communicates the location of availablestorage receptacles. In some embodiments, for example, the screen 148shows a depiction of the storage unit 100, and visually indicate, by,for example, highlighting, available storage receptacles 132.

The process 300D then moves to block 314D where the user is prompted toselect a storage receptacle. After receiving the user selection of thestorage receptacle 132 as depicted in block 316D, the door to theselected storage receptacle is opened as depicted in block 318D.

The process 300D then proceeds to block 320D, where the user is promptedto deposit the item in the storage receptacle 132. In some embodiments,the door 136 may automatically shut after the item is deposited, or thedoor may be controllably shut after the item is deposited. In someembodiments, the user may be additionally prompted to shut the door 136.In some embodiments, a sensor incorporated into securement feature 140provides confirmation to the control unit 144 that the door has beensecured and locked. In some embodiments, sensor 145 provides a signal tothe control unit 144 that the door is closed, secured, and/or locked.

The process then moves to block 322D, and the door 136 is secured. Insome embodiments in which the presence of an item in the storagereceptacle is not automatically detected, after the door is secured, theuser is prompted, as depicted in block 324D, to confirm that the itemwas deposited in the storage receptacle 132. After receiving the userconfirmation that the item was deposited in the storage receptacle asdepicted in block 326D, or after receiving sensing informationindicating that the item was deposited in the storage receptacle, theprocess moves to block 328 where the user is asked if he has anotheritem to deposit.

After receiving the user input as to whether he has another item fordeposit as depicted in block 330D, the process 300D moves to decisionstate 322 and determines whether the user has another item for deposit.If the user has another item for deposit, the process 300D moves toblock 302D and continues through the flow chart. If the user does nothave another item for deposit, then the process 300D ends at block 334D.

FIG. 3E depicts one embodiment of the process 300E associated withprompting the user to deposit an item in the storage receptacle 132 asdepicted in block 320D of FIG. 3D. As depicted in FIG. 3E, the process300E moves to decision state 302E and determines if postage is required.In some embodiments, determining if postage is required may compriseevaluating whether a certain item or identifier input by a userqualifies for deposit into storage unit 100. For example, a user maygenerate an identifier, such as a postage bar code, and provide thebarcode to the storage unit 100 via scanner 150. The process, indecicision state 302E may evaluate whether the provided postage barcodeis eligible for use at the storage unit 100. This determination may bebased on the identification of the user and an input from the useridentifying the item is a mail item to be sent to a particular recipientor location. In decision block 302E, the determination of whetherpostage is required may also be made based on input or scanneddimensions and weight of the item. In some embodiments the user inputs adescription of the item, any special delivery instructions, deliverydestination, value of item being deposited, and other similarparameters. Based on these parameters, control unit may determine howmuch postage is required for the item to be deposited. In someembodiments in which the user is the agent, no postage may be required.In contrast, in some embodiments in which the customer is the user,postage may be required.

If postage is required, the process 300E moves to block 304E andrequests and receives User indication of payment of postage. In someembodiments, this comprises completion of a postage purchase transactionat the storage unit 100. In some embodiments, this may provide providingan indication of a previously completed postage purchase transaction. Insome embodiments, this indication may comprise scanning a uniqueidentifier associated with the postage purchase transaction, entering aunique identifier associated with the postage purchase transaction,scanning postage located on the item, or any other method of identifyinga completed postage transaction. Upon each transaction, control unit 144may update a database maintained on a central controller or server,which will be described in more detail below.

The process 300E then moves to decision state 306E and determines if anindication of payment has been received from the control unit 144. Ifthe indication of payment has not been received, then the processterminates at block 308E. If the indication of payment has beenreceived, then the process moves to decision state 310E and determinesif scanning of an item identifier is required. Advantageously, thescanning of a unique item identifier may allow the storage unit 100 totrack each individual item that is placed in a storage receptacle.

This identifier may comprise a range of identifiers, and may include acomputer readable code, a barcode, a text string, a radio-frequencyemitter such as an RFID tag, or any other identifier.

If scanning of an identifier is required, the process 300E moves toblock 312E and prompts the user to scan the identifier. The process 300Ethen moves to decision state 314E and determines if the user scanned theidentifier. If the user did not scan the identifier, then the processreturns to block 312E and prompts the user again to scan the identifier.If the user scanned the identifier, or if no identifier scan wasrequired, the process 300E moves to decision state 316E and determinesif an item deposit date is required. If an item deposit date isrequired, the process 300E moves to block 318E and records the depositdate. In some embodiments, the storage unit 100 is configured to trackthe date, and so will be able to store the deposit date without userinput. In other embodiments in which the storage unit 100 is notconfigured to track the date, the user may be prompted to input adeposit date, which entered date is stored at block 318E.

After the deposit date has been stored in block 318E, or if no depositdate is required, the process 300E moves to decision state 320E anddetermines if recipient identification is desired. In some embodimentsin which an agent is depositing an item in a storage unit, the recipientinformation may be requested so that the recipient is notified that hisitem is in the storage unit 100 and so that the recipient can identifyhimself to retrieve the item from the storage unit 100. In otherembodiments in which the customer is depositing an item in the storageunit 100, the identification of the recipient may not be requested.

If the recipient information is desired, the process 300E moves to block322E and the user is prompted to input recipient information. In someembodiments, the user may manually input the recipient information, mayscan an identifier containing the recipient information, or may use anyother technique to enter the recipient information.

The process 300E then moves to decision state 324E and determines if therecipient identification information has been received. If the recipientidentification information has not been received, the process moves toblock 322E and the user is again prompted to enter the recipientidentification information. If the recipient identification informationhas been entered, or if the recipient identification information is notrequired, then the process moves to block 326E and the depositinformation is stored at the storage unit 100. The process then moves toblock 328E and transmits the item deposit information. In someembodiments, this transmission is from the storage unit 100 and to thestorage unit system 400. Specifically, this transmission is from thestorage unit 100 and to the central management system 404. The processthen terminates at block 330E.

In some embodiments of a storage unit 100, the storage unit isconfigured to track the amount of time that an item has been in astorage receptacle 132, and designate the item for removal from thestorage receptacle 132 if the item has been in the storage receptacle132 in excess of some duration. FIG. 3F depicts one embodiment of aprocess 300F for determining whether an item should be classified forremoval based on the time it has been in the storage receptacle 132. Insome embodiments, the time an item may be stored in the storage unit 132may be input by a user into control unit 144 upon deposit. In someembodiments, the time an item may be stored may be determined by thestorage unit 100 based on the category of the item, input by the user attime of deposit. In some embodiments, when time an item may be stored isnot specified, control unit 144 may select a default time for storage ofa unit such as 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 12 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 1week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, or any other amount of time. In someembodiments, the control unit 144 records the time of deposit regardlessof user input. The time of deposit may initiate a standard allowed timefor an item to remain in a storage receptacle 132 according to apre-determined storage time.

The process 300F depicted in FIG. 3F starts at block 302F by determiningthe classification of the item. This classification may relate to acharacteristic of the delivery service provided for the item, such as,for example, mail class and/or mail type, the nature of the item, suchas, for example, its degree of perishability or size, economic or marketfactors, such as the relative demand for the storage receptacle occupiedby the item, or any other factor relevant to the time that an itemshould be allowed to remain in the storage receptacle 132.

The process 300F moves to block 304F and determines the date that theitem was placed in the storage unit 100. In some embodiments, thestorage unit 100 is configured to track the date, and so this date maybe retrieved from storage unit 100 resources. In other embodiments inwhich the storage unit 100 is not configured to track the date, thisdate may be retrieved from remote resources located within a storageunit system.

After determining the date that the item was placed in the storage unit100 at block 304F, the process 300F moves to decision state 306F anddetermines if the initial time for item pick-up has passed, or if theitem has been stored longer than input or predetermined time for an itemto be stored in the storage receptacle 132 has elapsed. If the initialtime period for item pick-up has not passed, the process 300F terminatesat block 308F.

If the initial time period for item pickup has passed, the process 300Fproceeds to block 310F and a notice is sent to the intended recipient ofthe item to pick-up the item. In some embodiments, this notice providesthe address of the storage unit 100, identify the storage receptacle 132holding the item within the storage unit 100, provide a date beforewhich the item must be picked-up, provide notice procedures if the itemis not retrieved, and any other desired information. In someembodiments, this notice comprises an electronic communication to, forexample, an email account, a telephone number, a social networkhomepage, or any other electronic communication. In some embodiments,the notice comprises a voice communication sent to a telephone number orother account capable of receiving a voice communication. In someembodiments, the notice comprises a paper communication sent to theaddress of the intended recipient of the item. The notice may begenerated upon a user request, or automatically by the storage unit 100.

After sending the notice to the user at block 310F, the process 300Fadvances to block 312F and waits until the designated time period haspassed. After the time period has passed, the process 300F advances todecision state 314F and determines whether the item has been picked-up.If the item has been picked-up, the process 300F terminates at block316F. If the item has not been picked-up, the process 300F moves toblock 318F and determines if any additional time is available forpicking-up the item. In some embodiments, the user may specify whetherthere is an extended time for pick-up of the item, or that the item maybe stored in the storage unit 132. In some embodiments, the storage unit100 may determine two time periods, the first period being the initialtime for storage, and the second period being an extended or additionaltime for item pickup, which may be available upon payment of anadditional fee. In some embodiments, the user may indicate whether theitem should be provided to another storage unit 100 upon the firstperiod elapsing.

If additional time is available to pick-up the item, the process 300Fmoves to block 310F, and continues through the flow-chart until theprocess is terminated. If the item is not picked up within a first timeperiod, the above notice is sent. If the item is not picked up withinthe second extended or additional time period, a second notice is sent.

If there is no additional time period available for picking-up of theitem, the process 300F advances to block 320F where the item isidentified as being held beyond its allowed retention period. In someembodiments, this designation is stored in a local database at thestorage unit 100, and in other embodiments, this designation is storedat a central database in a storage unit system. In addition todesignating the item as being held beyond its allowed retention periodat block 320F, the process 300F designates the item for removal from thestorage unit at block 322F. In some embodiments, this designation isstored in a local database at the storage unit 100, and in otherembodiments, this designation is stored at a central database in astorage unit system. In some embodiments, once the allowed storage timehas elapsed, the item is returned to the sender, or the depositor isnotified to come retrieve the item.

Storage Unit System

As discussed above, in some embodiments, the storage unit 100 is astandalone unit. In some embodiments, however, a plurality of storageunits 100 may be integrated into a single storage unit system. FIGS. 4through 4D depict schematic illustrations of embodiments of storage unitsystems 400. As depicted in FIG. 4, a storage unit system 400 comprisesa storage unit 402. In one embodiment, the storage unit 402 of thestorage unit system 400 comprises a storage unit 402 as described withrespect to item 100 in FIGS. 1-2. In some embodiments, the storage unitsystem 400 comprises a plurality of storage units 402. The storage units402 are configured for communication with other features of the storageunit system 400 across a network 406. In some embodiments, the networkmay comprise a local area network (LAN) or a wide-area network (WAN).The storage units 402 is wired to or wirelessly communicate with thenetwork, via, for example, a cellular network.

The storage unit system 400 further comprises computing and memoryresources. These computing resources may include one or severalprocessors, computers, servers, or other computing resources. The memoryresources may include, for example different types of volatile ornon-volatile memory. A user or customer may sign up or register to be auser of the storage unit system 400. By doing so, a customer can selectthat particular items the customer orders be sent to a specificlocation. A customer may also provide pick-up and delivery preferencesat the time of registration. The information provided at registrationmay be stored in a customer database as described herein. A customer maysign up by accessing the network, establishing user identification andpassword, and other information that may be useful to facilitate pick-upand delivery of items. Vendors, sellers, merchants, and other similarparties may also register to use the storage unit system 400. By sodoing, they can provide a convenient delivery option for a customer oruser who orders an item from them. The vendors may establish preferencesfor pick-up and delivery items for users of the storage system 400. Insome embodiments, the customer may not be a registered user, but may beidentified as a guest user. A guest user may be provided with a uniquecode or identifier, appropriate for a single or limited number of uses,and provide this code at a storage unit 100 in order to complete atransaction.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the computing and memory resourcesinclude, for example, a central management system 404, one or severalengineering support servers 408, and an agent directory 410. In some ofembodiments, each of these computing resources may comprise memoryincluding stored instructions and one or more databases.

In some embodiments the central management system 404 comprises acomputing resource such as, for example, a computer, a computer system,a server, one or several processors, or any other feature configured toreceive and transmit information and instructions to and from thestorage units 402, receive and transmit information and instructionsrelating to item status and delivery, and receive and transmitinformation and instructions to and from other components of the storageunit system 400. In some embodiments, and as depicted FIG. 4, thecentral management system 404 comprises a database 414 comprisinginformation relating to the storage unit 100 and the item status. Insome embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 4, the central managementsystem 404 comprises memory 416 comprising instructions for theoperation of the aspects of the storage unit system 400.

As depicted in FIG. 4, the storage unit system 400 further comprises oneor more engineering support servers 408. The engineering support serversmay comprise a computing resource such as, for example, a computer, acomputer system, a server, one or several processors, or any otherdesired computing resource capable. The engineering support servers maycomprise software located on the computing resource configured tomaintain the functionality, security, and updatedness of storage unitsoftware. In some embodiments, the engineering support servers 408 mayutilize commercial security products to maintain the security of thestorage unit system 400. These products may include anti-virus products,anti-malware products, firewalls, and any other product or softwareconfigured to provide or improve security. In some embodiments, theengineering support servers 408 comprise software configured to monitorthe functionality of software in different components of the storageunit system 400, and specifically in the storage units 402. In someembodiments, the software configured to monitor the functionality ofsoftware throughout the storage unit system 400 is configured to detectand repair issues in individual components of the storage unit system400 or across the entire storage unit system 400. Thus, in someembodiments, this feature is used to repair, upgrade, or replace thesoftware used by components of the storage unit system 400.

The storage unit system may additionally comprise an agent directory410. The agent directory 410 may comprise stand-alone computingcapability, or the information of the agent directory 410 is located incomputing capability shared with one or more other components of thestorage unit system 400.

In one embodiment, the agent directory 410 comprises a database 418 ofindividuals. In one embodiment, these individuals are affiliated throughthe operation and maintenance of the storage unit system 400. In oneembodiment, these individuals may be employees or contractors of theentity owning and controlling the storage unit system 400. In someembodiments, the database 418 comprises information relating to theaccess provided to each individual. Thus, individuals within thedatabase 418 are provided with different levels of access to thecomponents of the storage unit system 400 or to the storage unit system400 based on, for example, their responsibilities or any other factor.

The storage unit system 400 further comprises a customer directory 412.The customer directory 412 may comprise stand-alone computingcapability, or the information of the customer directory 412 may belocated in computing capability shared with one or more other componentsof the storage unit system 400.

In one embodiment, the customer directory 412 comprises a database 420of individuals. In one embodiment, the individuals is, for example,individuals who have successfully completed the registration process foruse of the storage unit system 400, individuals who have begun theregistration process for use of the storage unit system 400, orindividuals who have been invited to register for use of the storageunit system 400. In some embodiments, information stored in the database420 may include, for example, account and customer identificationinformation, account preferences, payment information, and any otherinformation associated with the customer and/or the account.

In some embodiments, the customer identification information mayinclude, for example, an account number, a user name, a password, aname, an address, or any other user identifying information.

In some embodiments, the account preferences may include, for example,preferred delivery method, contact information, preferred contactmethod, preferred delivery locations, including, for example, apreference list identifying different storage units 402 and theircomparative preference as delivery locations, and any other accountpreferences.

In some embodiments, the information stored on database 420 is receivedfrom customer 422 during the registration process. In one embodiment,and as depicted in FIG. 4, the customer 422 provides this informationduring the registration process across a network 424, such as theinternet. In some embodiments, the customer 422 may provide thisinformation to a web-site during the registration process. A person ofskill in the art will recognize that a customer 422 will be able toaccess a web-site using a range of technologies and devices, including,for example, a computer, a Smartphone, a tablet, or any other deviceconfigured for internet access. In some embodiments, a web-site mayhandle customer related interactions such as customer registration,electronic parcel locker selection, contact information, and accessmanagement.

In some embodiments in which the database 420 is associated with anetwork, the customer directory 412 and the associated database 420 isseparated from other components of the network by a security feature426. In some embodiments, the security feature may comprise, forexample, a firewall, a filter, or any other feature, product, orsoftware stored on the hardware configured to allow controlled andsecure access of information from the database 420 by components of thestorage unit system 400.

The storage unit system 400 further comprises an agent access point 428.An agent access point 428 is configured to allow an agent to access thestorage unit system 400. The agent access point 428 may comprise avariety of devices, including a PC, a laptop, a mobile device, ahandheld device, a Smartphone, or any other device capable of requestingand receiving information across a network. In some embodiments, theagent access point 428 is configured to transmit information to thecentral management system 404 relating to items for delivery to astorage unit 402. The agent access point 428 is further configured toreceive information from the storage unit system 402 relating tocapacity for receiving the item at one or several storage units. In someembodiments, the agent access point 428 is configured to send a requestto the storage unit system 400 to reserve a storage receptacle 132 fordelivery at a storage unit 402.

The different components of the storage unit system 400 may communicatevia a communication link with each other. In some embodiments, thecommunication link is a wired or wireless connection. In someembodiments, the different components of the storage unit system 400 isredundantly connected, with a combination of different wired and/orwireless connections and links.

FIG. 4A depicts a schematic illustration of one embodiment of thestorage unit system 400. As depicted in FIG. 4A, the storage unit system400 comprises a first storage unit 402 a, a second storage unit 402, anda central server 430. The central server 430 depicted in FIG. 4Acomprises a variety of features, including the databases andcapabilities of the system as discussed in relation to FIG. 4. Centralserver 430 provides a central control station for the system 400. Forexample, as requests for storage receptacle availability are receivedeither at individual storage units 100 or via the network 424, therequest may be provided to are received As further depicted in FIG. 4A,the storage units 402 a, 402 b and the central server 430 arecommunicatingly connected. This communicating connection is wired orwireless, or a combination thereof. As depicted in FIG. 4A, thisconnection includes a transmission feature 434 capable of sending andreceiving wireless communications.

As further depicted in FIG. 4A, the storage unit system 400 iscommunicatingly connected with a plurality of customers 422 a, 422 b,422 c, and an agent 432. As further depicted, the communication to thecustomers 422 a, 422 b, and 422 c may be achieved through a variety ofmeans, including, for example, an electronic communication such as anemail 422 c or an SMS 422 b, or through delivery of written notification422 a.

In some embodiments, the customer 422 receives and transmits informationto the storage unit system 422. In some embodiments, the customer 422accesses the storage unit system 422 using a computing device via thenetwork and request information relating to the status of a delivery,the location of an item, the availability of specified storage units402, locations of storage units 402, or any other desired information.

In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 4A, an agent 432 deliveringitems can communicate with customers 422 a, 422 b, 422 c, with a centralserver 430 and with other components of the storage unit system 400. Insome embodiments, this communication is via a wireless device, such as,for example, a handheld device, a Smartphone, a mobile device, or anyother device capable of wireless network communications. In someembodiments, the wireless device communicates with the storage unitsystem via, for example, a transmission feature 434. Advantageously,such communication may allow an agent to receive and transmit real-timeinformation relating to the availability status of storage units 402 andrelating to the delivery of items.

In some embodiments, the customer 422 may access the central server 430via network 424 via a user interface existing on network 424. Using theuser interface, the customer 422 may check availability of one or morestorage receptacles 132 in one or more storage units 100 located in auser-specified geographic area, capable of receiving a particular item.The customer 422 receives a report of storage units available to receivethe particular item. The customer 422 may reserve a particular storagereceptacle 132 via the user interface over the network, and then thecustomer 422 may physically go to the particular storage receptacle 132and deposit an item as described herein.

In some embodiments, a storage unit 100 containing an item designatedfor an intended recipient can send a notification or information aboutthe item to the central server 430, which can then route thenotification or information to the customer 422 for whom the item isdesignated or intended. In some embodiments, the agent 432 maycommunicate its position continuously or at periodic intervals to thecentral server 430. The central server may also receive periodic updatesabout deposits and items in storage receptacles 132. When the centralserver 430 receives information regarding an item to be picked-up fromor delivered to a particular storage unit 100, the central server 430sends a notification to the agent 432 directing the agent to pick up anitem from or deliver an item to a particular storage unit 100. Thisnotification may be coordinated by the central server 430 such thatnotifications are preferably sent to the agents 432 who are nearest inproximity to the storage unit containing the item to be picked-up or thestorage unit to which the item is to be delivered. In some embodiments,the central server notifies the agent 432 whose planned route passes inproximity to the storage unit 100 where the item is to be picked up ordelivered.

FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of a process 500 of controlling a storageunit system 100. In some embodiments, the process 500 is performed atthe storage unit 100, and a cooperating process is performed bycomputing resources elsewhere in the storage unit system 400. AlthoughFIG. 5 depicts steps specifically performed by the storage unit, aperson of skill in the art will recognize that any other component ofthe storage unit system 400 can perform similar or identical steps. Asdescribed herein, when messages are sent and/or received, the messagesmay originate in the control unit 144 or in the central server 430, asthe circumstances require. The central server 430 may control theprocess 500, and may direct the operations of other components,including the sending of messages by the control units 144. The centralserver 430 may facilitate message and information sending betweenvarious components of the storage unit system 400 according to theprocesses and methods described herein.

The process 500 moves to decision state 502 and determines if adesignated time interval has passed. The time interval may be anyspecified time interval. In some embodiments, the time interval may be,for example, 1 second, 1 minute, 5 minutes 15 minutes, 30 minutes 1hour, 12 hours, 1 day, 1 week, or any other desired time interval. Thetime interval may be determined by a number of factors, including, forexample, the frequency with which customers use the storage unit 100,the frequency with which software updates of hardware maintenance isrequired, the location of the storage unit 100, the system bandwidthand/or processing capabilities, and/or any other factor.

If the time interval has passed, an alive message is sent as depicted atblock 504. This message indicates that the storage unit 100 is properlyfunctioning, and has no specific needs.

After sending the alive message at block 504, the process 500 moves toblock 506 and await receipt of a response to the alive message. Once theresponse to the alive message is received, the process 500 moves todecision state 508 and determines if the response is an acknowledgement.An acknowledgement may comprise a message indicating that the alivemessage was received. In some embodiments, an acknowledgement mayinclude further instructions for execution by the storage unit. In someembodiments, the acknowledgement may not include any instructions. Ifthe response is an acknowledgment, then the process terminates at block510.

If the response is not an acknowledgement, then the process moves todecision state 512 and determines if the response is a configurationupdate. A configuration update may provide a software update or softwarepatch to maintain and improve the operating system of the storage unit100.

If the response is not a configuration update, the process moves todecision state 514 and determines if the response is a status orstatistics request message. In some embodiments, a status or statisticsrequest message is periodically requested to provide an update on usageof the storage unit 100, usage of the individual storage receptacles 132of the storage unit 100, any maintenance requests, present availabilityof storage receptacles, and/or any other information relating to thestorage unit.

If the message is not a status or statistics request message, theprocess moves to decision state 516 and determines if the response is acustomer update message. A customer update message may provide, forexample, an update relating to customers who have used the storage unit100. This may include, for example, user identification information,user passwords, user pictures, and identification of user transactionswith the storage unit 100 such as, for example, the picking-up ordepositing of one or several items.

If the message is a customer update message, the process moves to block518 and a customer update is provided. After providing the customerupdate, the process terminates at block 520. Returning again to block516, if the response is not a customer update message, the process movesto block 522 and requests a new response as the response was not of anexpected type, in an expected format, or otherwise not readable. Afterrequesting a new response, the process terminates at block 524.

Returning again to block 514, if the response is a status or statisticsrequest message, the process moves to block 526 and determines thestatus of the storage unit 100. This may include, for example,determining the availability of storage receptacles 132, determiningwhether any maintenance or updates are required, determining how manystorage receptacles 132 are occupied, determining how many storagereceptacles 132 are reserved, and making any other determinationrelating to the status of the storage unit 100.

The process then moves to block 528 and determines storage unit 100statistics. These statistics may include, for example, the averagenumber of available storage receptacles 132, the average number ofoccupied storage receptacles 132, the average number of reserved storagereceptacles, the number of customers who have used the storagereceptacle, the average number of customers using the storage receptaclein a specified time period, the actual number of customers using thestorage receptacle in a specified time period, the average amount oftime an item is left in the storage receptacle 132 before beingpicked-up, or any other desired statistic relating to the storage unit100.

The process 500 then moves to block 530 and the status and statisticsmessage is sent. In some embodiments, the status and statistics messagesare sent to the central server 430. The process 500 then terminates atblock 532.

Returning again to block 512, if the process determines that theresponse is a configuration update, then the process moves to block 534and creates a local backup of the old software configuration. Thisbackup may be of the entire software configuration, or portions of thesoftware configuration that will be replaced by the presentconfiguration update. After backing-up the old configuration, theprocess 500 moves to block 536 and evaluates the new configuration. Thisevaluation may be configured to determine which portions of the softwareconfiguration will be updated, to detect any obvious errors in the newconfiguration, and to screen the new configuration for security threats,such as, malware and/or viruses.

The process then moves to decision state 544 and determines if the newconfiguration may be activated. If the new configuration may beactivated, the process moves to block 546 and the new configuration isactivated. The process then terminates at block 548.

If the process determines that the new configuration cannot beactivated, the process moves to block 538 and the old, backupconfiguration is activated. After activating the backup configuration,the storage unit transmits an error message indicating that the newconfiguration cannot be activated at block 540. The process 500 thenmoves to block 542 and the storage unit 100 receives a new configurationmessage. The process then returns to block 536 and the new configurationis evaluated. From this block, the process moves to block 544 andproceeds as described above.

Returning again to block 502, if the designated time interval has notpassed, the process moves to decision state 550 and determines if a newsoftware configuration is required. If no new software configuration isrequired, then the process moves to decision state 552 and determines ifa status message should be sent. A status message may compriseinformation relating to, for example, the status of the storage unit 100and the status of the storage receptacles 132. This may includeinformation relating to any required maintenance, the availability ofstorage receptacles 132, the number and identification of storagereceptacles 132 occupied by an item, the number and identification ofstorage receptacles 132 reserved for receiving an item, the length oftime that items have been in the occupied storage receptacles 132, andany other desired status information.

If the process 500 determines that a status message should be sent, thenthe message is sent at block 554, and the process terminates at block556.

If a status message should not be sent, as decided at decision state552, the process moves to decision state 558 and determines if astatistics message should be sent. A statistics message may include, forexample, the average number of available storage receptacles 132, theaverage number of occupied storage receptacles 132, the average numberof reserved storage receptacles, the number of customers who have usedthe storage receptacle, the average number of customers using thestorage receptacle in a specified time period, the actual number ofcustomers using the storage receptacle in a specified time period, theaverage amount of time an item is left in the storage receptacle 132before being picked-up, or any other desired statistic relating to thestorage unit 100. If the statistics message should be sent, then theprocess moves to block 560 and the message is sent and the processterminates at block 556.

If a statistics message should not be sent, then the process moves todecision state 562 and determines if an error message should be sent. Anerror message may report a malfunction of the hardware or software ofthe storage unit 100. In some embodiments, for example, an error messageis sent when a door 136 of a storage receptacle 132 cannot be shutand/or re-secured. Similarly, in some embodiments, an error message issent when some aspect of the software fails to properly operate. If anerror message should be sent, then the process moves to decision state564 and the error message is sent, after which the process terminates atblock 566. An error message may be sent if a printer is out of paper, ascanner fails, a storage receptacle 132 fails, high heat or humidity aredetected, vandalism detected, power failure, or other error conditions.

Returning again to block 550, if a new configuration is required, theprocess moves to block 568 and a request configuration message is sent.The process then moves to block 570 and a configuration message isreceived. The process then proceeds to back up the old configuration asdepicted at block 534 and to evaluate the new configuration at block536. The process then proceeds to decision state 544 and proceedsthrough the flow-chart as discussed above.

Some embodiments of a storage unit system 400 include security featuresto protect deposited items and to avoid accidental removal of the wrongitem. One of these features is the user identification system. Oneprocess 500A used for user identification is depicted in FIG. 5A.

In some embodiments, the storage unit system 400 includes securityfeatures. For example, a storage unit 100 may comprise an accelerometerconfigured to identify an abrupt, sharp, or other unexpected movement ofthe storage unit 100, and communicate this acceleration as evidence oftampering or attempted tampering. The cameras associated with storageunit 100, including the camera on the control cabinet 146 and on theroof 124 may be motion activated and provide monitoring of transactions.These security measures may be provided to meet stringent standards asrequested or required by a particular organization, such as, forexample, the United States Postal Service. In some embodiments, thestorage unit system, specifically the storage units 100, may beconfigured to meet underwriting laboratory (UL) requirements, ergonomicrequirements, or specific industry standard requirements.

Process 500A begins at block 502A when the user identification andpassword are received. At block 504A the entered user identification andpicture captured at the time of entry of the user identification arestored.

The process then proceeds to decision state 506A and determines whetherthe customer identification is a default agent identification. Thedecision may be based on a list of agent identification stored ondatabase 171 in memory 170.

If the identification is an agent identification, then the process movesto block 508A and the identification and entered password are locallyauthenticated by the storage unit 100 where the identification andpassword were entered.

The process then proceeds to decision state 510 and determines if theentered password is correct. If the password is incorrect, the processmoves to block 512A and access to the storage unit 100 is denied.

If the entered password is correct for the entered agent identification,then the process moves to block 514A and access is allowed. The processthen moves to block 516A and the storage unit 100 transmits a logged-inmessage to the central management system 404. The logged-in message mayinclude the date and time the user logged in to the storage unit. Insome embodiments, the logged-in message may include the useridentification, password, and/or image captured at the time of userlog-in.

The process 500A then moves to block 518A and the storage unit performsthe operations requested by the agent and outlined throughout thepresent specification. The process 500A then ends at block 520A.

Returning again to block 506A, if the user identification is not adefault agent identification, then the process moves to block 522A andtransmits the user identification and password to the customer directory412 and requests verification of the identification and password by thecustomer directory 412. The process then moves to block 524A andreceives the response transmission.

The process then moves to decision state 526A and determines if theidentification and password are verified. If the identification andpassword are not verified, the process moves to block 528A and access tothe storage unit is denied. In some embodiments, the identification andpassword are verified by comparing the transmitted user identificationand password to prestored user identification and password contained incustomer directory 412. A user may provide the prestored useridentification and password upon signing up to use the storage system400, or by registering as a customer of the storage system 400.

If the identification and password are verified, the process moves toblock 530A and access to the storage unit is allowed. The process thenmoves to block 532A and the storage unit 100 sends a logged-in messageto the central management system 404. The logged-in message may includethe date and time the user logged in to the storage unit. In someembodiments, the logged-in message may include the user identification,password, and/or image captured at the time of user log-in.

The process 500A then moves to block 534A and the storage unit performsthe operations requested by the user and outlined throughout the presentspecification. The process 500A then ends at block 536A.

FIG. 5B depicts one embodiment of the process 500B of customerverification performed using the customer directory 412. The process500B begins at block 502B when the customer identification and passwordand a request for authentication of the customer identification andpassword are received. The process 500B moves to block 504B and thecustomer directory 412 is queried.

The process 500B then moves to decision state 506B and determines if thecustomer identification and password match information stored in thecustomer directory 412. If the customer identification and password donot match the information stored in the customer directory, then theprocess 500B moves to block 508B and a response is transmitted to thestorage unit 100 that indicates that the identification and passwordcombination are incorrect.

If the customer identification and password match information in thecustomer directory 412, then the process 500B moves to block 510B, andthe response is transmitted to the storage unit 100 indicating that theidentification and password combination is correct.

The process 500B then moves to block 512B and a logged-in message isreceived from the storage unit 100 indicating that the customer hassuccessfully logged-in. The logged-in message may include informationrelating to the user and the log-in, including, for example, thecustomer password, customer identification, customer image capturedduring log-in, date of log-in, time of log-in, or any other informationrelated to the log-in. The process 500B then moves to block 514B and thelogged-in message is stored, and then the process terminates at block516B.

FIG. 5C provides further detail into the steps of some processes used inpicking-up an item from a storage unit 100 when the storage unit 100 isfunctioning as part of a storage unit system 400. Specifically, FIG. 5Cdepicts one embodiment of a process 500C for requesting confirmation ofitem pick-up as depicted in block 312B of FIG. 3B. Accordingly, thesteps of the present process 500C occur within block 312B of FIG. 3B.

As depicted in FIG. 5C, the process 500C for requesting confirmation ofitem pick-up begins at block 522C by prompting the user to pick-up theitem. This prompt may be, for example, in addition to an indication ofwhich storage receptacle 132 contains the item, and in addition toopening of the storage receptacle 132 containing the item.

After prompting the user to pick-up the item, the process 500C advancesto block 524C where the user is prompted to scan an identifier on theitem. In some embodiments, this may comprise, for example, scanning acomputer readable code, receiving a radio frequency transmission,scanning a text string, or scanning any other identifying feature of theitem.

After prompting the user to scan the identifier as depicted in block524C, the process 500C advances to block 526C, where the storage unit100 receives data from the scanning of the identifier.

After receiving data from the scanning of the identifier as depicted inblock 526C, the storage unit 100 prompts the user to confirm the pick-upof the item at block 528C. The process 500C then advances to decisionstate 530C where it determines whether a user signature is required. Ifa signature is required, the storage unit 100 prompts the user toprovide a signature as depicted in block 532C. The storage unit thenreceives the signature as depicted in block 534C.

After receiving the signature as depicted in block 534C, or afterdetermining that no signature is required in decision state 530C, theprocess 500C moves to block 536C and stores pick-up-information. Thisinformation may include, for example, the user identification, the userpassword, the image captured at the time of log-in, the user imagecaptured at the time of pick-up or pick-up confirmation, the itemnumber, and/or any other information relating to the item pick-up.

The process 500C then moves to block 538C and requests and receivesinformation relating to the communications status of the storage unit100. The process then proceeds to decision state 540C and determineswhether the storage unit is online and able to communicate with othercomponents of the storage unit system 400. If the storage unit is notonline, the process moves to block 542C and waits until thecommunications with the storage unit system 400 have been reestablishedand the storage unit 100 is online. After the storage unit 100 returnsonline, or if the storage unit is online in decision state 540C, theprocess moves to block 544C and the storage unit transmits theconfirmation to the other components of the storage unit system 400. Theprocess then terminates at block 546C.

FIG. 5D depicts one embodiment of aspects of the process 500D fordepositing items at a storage unit 100 that is functioning as part of astorage unit system 400. The process 500D begins at block 502D when thestorage unit 100 receives a user input indicating intent to deposit anitem. The process 500D moves to block 504D and requests and receivesinformation relating to the storage unit 100 communications status, andspecifically to the ability of the storage unit 100 to communicate withother components of the storage unit system 400.

The process then moves to decision state 506D and determines if thestorage unit 100 is online and may communicate with other components ofthe storage unit system 400. If the storage unit is online, the processmoves to block 508D, and the user continues with the deposit of the itemfollowing processes outlined in this specification.

If the storage unit 100 is not online and cannot communicate with othercomponents of the storage unit system 400, then the process moves toblock 510D and communicates to the user that items cannot be presentlydeposited. The process then terminates at block 512D.

FIG. 5E depicts one embodiment of a process 500E for registering usersto allow access to the storage units 402 of the storage unit system 400.Process 500E moves to block 502E and receives user registrationinformation. In some embodiments, user registration information may bereceived in electronic or non-electronic form. In some embodiments, auser may fill out a registration form. This form may be, for example,delivered to an agent of the storage unit system 400 who can verify theuser information. In another embodiment, the user can fill out andsubmit an electronic form located, for example, on a website. This userinformation may include, for example, a desired username, a desiredpassword, the user's name, the user's address, the user's preferredstorage unit 402 locations, the user's email address, the user'stelephone number, and any other desired information.

The process then moves to block 504E and requests user authenticationand completion of registration. The request may be made via any form ofcommunication, including electronic communication, such as, for example,email, SMS, telecommunications, mail, or any other desired form ofcommunication. The request for authentication and completion ofregistration may request verification of the already receivedinformation, further information about the user, and that the usercontacts an agent of the storage unit system 400 for verification ofuser provided information.

The process then moves to block 506E and receives the completed andauthenticated registration information from the user. The process thenmoves to decision state 508E and determines if the user information maybe validated. In some embodiments, the user information is validated bycomparison of user submitted information to public or secure informationrelating to the user. In some embodiments, the user information isvalidated by a comparison to secure information maintained by a postalagency such as, for example the United States Postal Service.

If the user information cannot be validated, the process 500E moves toblock 510E and follow-up is requested from an agent 432 in order todetermine whether the user information was correct, or whether there isan error in the system. If the used information is validated, process500E proceeds to block 512E and the user account is designated asactive. The process then moves to block 514E and notification of accountactivation is sent to the user. Following notification, the process endsin block 516E. In some embodiments, this may include sending a useridentification and user password for accessing the storage units 400. Insome embodiments, this includes providing a computer readable card orobject containing information uniquely identifying the user. A person ofskill in the art will recognize that a variety of methods of identifyinga user may be used and the present disclosure is not limited to anyspecific form of user identification.

In some embodiments, the storage unit system 400 facilitates thedelivery of an item by tailoring delivery to a recipient's deliverypreferences. The delivery preferences of a recipient may be provided tothe storage unit system 400 upon deposit of the item. In someembodiments, the delivery preferences of a recipient may be providedupon registering as a customer or user of the storage unit system 400,and the delivery preferences may be stored in the customer data 412.FIG. 5F depicts one embodiment of process 500F used in connection with astorage unit system for delivering an item. The process 500F begins atblock 502F and receives a request for delivery of an item to a storageunit 402. The process 502F then proceeds to block 504F and requests andreceives information relating to a preferred storage unit 402. Thepreferred storage unit may be indicated by a user or customer upondepositing the item, or by the user when registering or signing up touse the storage unit system 412. In some embodiments, a customer mayspecify one or more preferred storage units 402 for receiving itemdelivery. In some embodiments, these preferences are ranked from mostpreferential to least preferential. In some further embodiments, a useris assigned a default storage unit 402. The default storage unit 402 maycomprise a vast number of storage receptacles 132, and may be located,at, for example, a post office. Advantageously, evaluation of theavailability of preferred storage units 402 based on their preferencerank results in placement of the item in the most preferred storage unit402 with an available storage receptacle 132 of adequate size to holdthe item.

The process 500F then moves to block 506F and determines if thepreferred storage unit can receive the item. If the evaluated storageunit 100 cannot hold the item, the process 500F moves to decision state508F and determines if the customer has an additional preferred storageunit 402. If the customer has an additional preferred storage unit, thenthe process returns to block 506F and determines if that next preferredstorage unit 402 can receive the item.

Returning to decision state 508F, if there are no additional preferredstorage units, the process 500F moves to decision state 510F anddetermines if a default storage unit 402 is available. If a defaultstorage unit 402 is available, then the process 500F moves to decisionstate 512F and determines if the default storage unit 402 can receivethe item. If the default storage unit 402 cannot receive the item, or ifthere is no default storage unit 402, then the process moves to block514F and the item is designated for alternate delivery. In someembodiments, alternate delivery may comprise in person delivery, ordelayed delivery when one of the preferred or default storage units 402can receive the item.

Returning again to decision state 512F, if the default storage unit canreceive the item, or if one of the preferred storage units can receivethe item, then the process moves to block 516F and the item isdesignated for delivery to the available storage unit 402.

The process then proceeds to block 518F and reserves the requiredstorage receptacle 132 in the desired storage unit 402 for receipt ofthe item. In some embodiments, this reservation may be made throughcommunication with the central management system 404. In someembodiments, the reservation is made by communication with the storageunit 402 to which the item will be delivered. In some embodiments, thereservation is made by a communication to both the storage unit 402 towhich the item will be delivered and to the central management system404. The reservation is communicated to central server 430, whichmaintains a database of the status of each storage receptacle 132 withinstorage unit system 400. The status includes which storage receptacles132 are available, which are occupied, and which have been reserved,thus preventing the storage unit system 400 from reserving a particularstorage receptacle 132 to more than one user or customer.

The process 500F then proceeds to block 520F and requests updatedcapacity status from the storage unit 402 to which the item will bedelivered. The updated capacity status is then stored in the database414 in the central management system 404, updating the capacityinformation for the storage unit as depicted in block 522F.

The process then moves to block 524F and communicates deliveryinformation to the recipient. This information may be communicated withany communication method, including, for example, electroniccommunication, telecommunication, or postal communication, and theprocess terminates at block 526F.

In some embodiments, the use of a storage unit system may affect methodsof delivery an item. In some embodiments, the method of delivery istailored to a customer preference. FIG. 6 depicts one exemplary process600 for matching delivery to a customer's preference. The process 600begins at block 602 and receives item recipient information. Thisinformation may include item information, recipient identification,recipient delivery preferences, recipient physical address, recipientstorage unit address, and any other recipient information. Theinformation may be provided by the user who deposits the item, or by avendor or merchant who requests that an item be delivered via thestorage unit system 400. The process then moves to decision state 604and determines if the recipient is registered for storage unit delivery.If the recipient is not registered for storage unit delivery, theprocess is terminated at block 606.

If the recipient is registered for storage unit delivery, the processmoves to decision state 608 and determines if the recipient hasrequested first attempt personal delivery. First attempt personaldelivery occurs when the agent delivering the item makes a first attemptto deliver the item to the physical address or other specified locationassociated with the recipient. If the recipient wants first attemptpersonal delivery, then the process moves to block 610 and the agentattempts to deliver the item to the recipient. The process then moves todecision state 612 and determines if the recipient received the item byaccessing pick-up confirmation information of control unit 144 orcentral server 430. If the recipient received the item, then the processterminates at block 614.

If the recipient did not receive the item, or if the recipient has notedthat they do not desire first attempt personal delivery, then theprocess moves to block 616 and prepares for item delivery to a storageunit 402. In some embodiments, this may include placing a uniqueidentification feature on the item, scanning the identification featureto enter the item into the system, entering the recipient informationinto the system so as to associate the recipient information with theitem, and any other steps. In some embodiments, this informationrelating to the item identification and the recipient information isstored in the database 414 of the central management system 404.

The process then proceeds to block 618 and the customer is notified ofthe pending delivery to the storage unit 402. As mentioned above, thisnotification may be provided electronically, by telephone, or bywriting. The process then proceeds to block 620 and the deliveryprocedure continues as outlined throughout this specification. Aftercompletion of the delivery procedure, the process terminates as depictedat block 622.

FIG. 6A depicts one embodiment of a process 600A used by an agent indelivering an item. The process 600A may be performed by the agent witha device configured to network communication such as, for example, acomputer, a Smartphone, a tablet, a handheld device with network access,a wireless device with network access, or any other device with networkcommunication capability. The process 600A begins at block 602A whenitem recipient information is received. The process 600A continues toblock 604A and requests and receives information relating to whether therecipient receives storage unit deliveries.

The process 600A continues at decision state 606A and determines if therecipient receives storage unit deliveries. If the recipient does notreceive storage unit deliveries, the process 600A terminates at block608A. If the recipient receives storage unit deliveries, the process600A continues at block 610A and requests and receives informationrelating to whether the recipient receives first attempt deliveries.

The process 600A continues to decision state 612A and determines if therecipient receives first attempt deliveries. If the recipient receivesfirst attempt deliveries, the process 600A continues to block 614A whendelivery of the item is attempted. At decision state 616A, the process600A determines if the delivery of the item was successful based ondelivery status provided by an agent 432. If the delivery wassuccessful, the process 600A terminates at block 618A. If the deliveryattempt was unsuccessful, then the process 600A moves to block 620A andthe recipient is notified of the pending delivery to the storage unit402.

After notifying the recipient of the pending delivery to the storageunit 402, or if the recipient does not receive first attempt deliveries,the process 600A continues to block 622A and sends a request for thelocation of the preferred and available storage unit 402. At block 624A,the process 600A receives information relating to the location of thepreferred and available storage unit 402. The process 600A continues toblock 626A and sends a request to reserve an available storagereceptacle 132.

The process 600A continues at block 628A where the item is delivered tothe reserved storage receptacle 132 at the designated storage unit 402.At block 630A, the recipient is notified of the successful delivery ofthe item to the storage unit 402 and provided information relating topicking-up of the item from the storage unit 402. In some embodiments,this information may include a time frame in which pick-up is required,item identification information, any other information required toretrieve the item, and/or any other desired information. The process600A then terminates at block 632A

In some embodiments, the storage unit is configured for the sale ofpostage to facilitate customer deposit of items for delivery. In someembodiments, the storage unit 402 may be configured to receive indiciaof a purchase of postage and to dispense postage to facilitate customerdeposit of items for delivery. Some embodiments relate to a system inwhich the purchase of postage is remote from the storage unit 402, suchas, for example over the internet, and postage is dispensed at thepostage in response to inputting an identifier of the postage purchaseto the storage unit 402. FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a process 700that may be used in purchasing and obtaining postage. The process 700begins at block 702 with the receipt of the selection of postage forpurchase. This selection may comprise the designation of the item sizeand the desired time frame for delivery, the selection of postage of aspecific value, or any other designation of postage type. The process700 continues at block 704 and receives shipping information. Thisinformation may include, for example, the recipient name, the recipientaddress, the mailer name, the mailer address, and any other informationrequired for transport of the item.

The process 700 continues at block 706 with the selling of the postage.This step may require payment processes, such as providing electronicpayment information such as credit card or bank card number, payment ofcash, or any other payment process. The process 700 continues at block708 with the distribution of a purchased postage identifier. In someembodiments, the purchased postage identifier may comprise a uniqueidentifier that identifies the specific transaction, the type of postagepurchased, and, in some embodiments, other shipping details. In someembodiments, the identifier may comprise a text string, or a computerreadable code such as, for example, a bar code, including linearbarcodes, 2D barcodes, or any other barcode. In some embodiments, theidentifier is printable, transmitted, such as, by email.

The process 700 continues at block 710 when the system receives theidentifier of the postage purchase at a location capable of printing thepostage. In some embodiments, this location is at, for example, astorage unit. In some embodiments, the identifier is entered into thepostage printing components, for example, into the storage unit. In someembodiments, the identifier is manually entered into the storage unit402. In some embodiments in which the identifier comprises a computerreadable code, the identifier is scanned into the storage unit 402 viathe scanner 150.

In response to receipt of the identifier of the postage purchase, thepostage printing component may dispense the printed postage. Inembodiments in which the storage unit 402 is the postage printingcomponent, the printer 152 of the storage unit may print the postage.After printing the postage, the process may terminate at block 714.

In some embodiments, the method of FIG. 7 is used to make other paymentsassociated with an item, such as, for example, payment of customs,payment of taxes, post office box payments, or any other payments. Asshown above, these payments may be made at a location separate from thestorage unit 402 and the storage unit 402 is used to print labelingindicative of the completion of these payments.

Further Uses

In some embodiments, the storage unit 402 and/or storage unit system 400is used to facilitate new types of deliveries. In one embodiment, forexample, a customer storage unit address is used to facilitate anonymousdelivery of items. As the customer storage unit address does notidentify the customer or their physical address, the customer storageunit address may allow delivery of items to a customer withoutdisclosing the identity of the customer to the originator of the item.This anonymity may facilitate customer safety and privacy in alltransactions, and may be particularly beneficial in electronictransactions, or transaction of sensitive items.

In some embodiments, a storage unit 402 may be used as an unmanned salesmerchant office. In one such embodiment, a storage unit 402 may bewholly or partly assigned for use to a merchant, and items ordered fromthe merchant are delivered to the storage unit 402. In some embodiments,these deliveries are available to registered users of the storage unit.In other embodiments, these deliveries are available to unregisteredrecipients of the storage unit 402. In embodiments in which a recipientis unregistered, a unique identifier is be used to identify therecipient to allow the recipient to pick-up the delivered item. In someembodiments, a government issued identification is be used as the uniqueidentifier. In other embodiments, the merchant provides a uniqueidentifier, such as a transaction number, a code, a password, a computerreadable identifier, or any other unique identifier to the itemrecipient. Upon inputting of the unique identifier, the storage unit 402allows the recipient to access their item.

In another embodiment, the storage unit 402 is be used in connectionwith day- and/or time-specific deliveries. In such an embodiment, thestorage unit includes instruction not to allow access to the contents ofstorage receptacles containing the items for day- and/or time-specificdelivery until the designated day and/or time has passed. Deliverycapability may beneficially facilitate sales and deliveries of itemshaving a particular release date, such as the release date of a product,including, for example, a book, a video, a device, a toy, or any otheritem.

In one embodiment, the storage unit system 400 is configured to enableproactive inventory management at the storage unit 402 and/or to enablecustomers to determine availability of storage receptacles at thedelivery location before sending an item. Advantageously, such inventorymanagement increases efficiency of operations.

In one embodiment, the storage unit system 400 is configured to providea vendor, business entity, or other entity the ability to reserve aparticular storage receptacle 132 on a one-time basis or on asubscription basis.

In one embodiment, a portion or all of the storage receptacles 132 at agiven storage unit 402 may be assigned to a specific customer. In thisembodiment, a customer may be assigned a specific storage receptacle132, and only items for that customer are delivered to that receptacle132.

Those of skill will recognize that the various illustrative logicalblocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connectionwith the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronichardware, software stored on a computer readable medium and executableby a processor, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate thisinterchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrativecomponents, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been describedabove generally in terms of their functionality. Whether suchfunctionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon theparticular application and design constraints imposed on the overallsystem. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality invarying ways for each particular application, but such implementationdecisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from thescope of the present invention.

The logical blocks, modules and flow chart sequences are illustrativeonly. A person of skill in the art will understand that the steps,decisions, and processes embodied in the flowcharts described herein maybe performed in an order other than that described herein. Thus, theparticular flowcharts and descriptions are not intended to limit theassociated processes to being performed in the specific order described.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits describedin connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implementedor performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signalprocessor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with theembodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in asoftware module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two.A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory,EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, aCD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Anexemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processorreads information from, and write information to, the storage medium. Inthe alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor.The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments,it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changesin the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of theinvention. As will be recognized, the present invention may be embodiedwithin a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits setforth herein, as some features may be used or practiced separately fromothers. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claimsrather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come withinthe meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embracedwithin their scope.

A person skilled in the art will recognize that each of thesesub-systems may be inter-connected and controllably connected using avariety of techniques and hardware and that the present disclosure isnot limited to any specific method of connection or connection hardware.

The technology is operational with numerous other general purpose orspecial purpose computing system environments or configurations.Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/orconfigurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include,but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-heldor laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems,a microcontroller or microcontroller based system, programmable consumerelectronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers,distributed computing environments that include any of the above systemsor devices, and the like.

As used herein, instructions refer to computer-implemented steps forprocessing information in the system. Instructions may be implemented insoftware, firmware or hardware and include any type of programmed stepundertaken by components of the system.

A microprocessor may be any conventional general purpose single- ormulti-chip microprocessor such as a Pentium® processor, a Pentium® Proprocessor, a 8051 processor, a MIPS® processor, a Power PC® processor,or an Alpha® processor. In addition, the microprocessor may be anyconventional special purpose microprocessor such as a digital signalprocessor or a graphics processor. The microprocessor typically hasconventional address lines, conventional data lines, and one or moreconventional control lines.

The system may be used in connection with various operating systems suchas Linux®, UNIX® or Microsoft Windows®.

The system control may be written in any conventional programminglanguage such as C, C++, BASIC, Pascal, .NET (e.g., C#), or Java, andran under a conventional operating system. C, C++, BASIC, Pascal, Java,and FORTRAN are industry standard programming languages for which manycommercial compilers may be used to create executable code. The systemcontrol may also be written using interpreted languages such as Perl,Python or Ruby. Other languages may also be used such as PHP,JavaScript, and the like.

The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the systems,devices, and methods disclosed herein. It will be appreciated, however,that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the systems,devices, and methods may be practiced in many ways. As is also statedabove, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology whendescribing certain features or aspects of the invention should not betaken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to berestricted to including any specific characteristics of the features oraspects of the technology with which that terminology is associated.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof the described technology. Such modifications and changes are intendedto fall within the scope of the embodiments. It will also be appreciatedby those of skill in the art that parts included in one embodiment areinterchangeable with other embodiments; one or more parts from adepicted embodiment may be included with other depicted embodiments inany combination. For example, any of the various components describedherein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged orexcluded from other embodiments.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art may translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety. To the extent publications and patents or patentapplications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosurecontained in the specification, the specification is intended tosupersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material.

The term “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,”“containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended anddoes not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

All numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions,and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understoodas being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly,unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth inthe specification and attached claims are approximations that may varydepending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by thepresent invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit theapplication of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims,each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number ofsignificant digits and ordinary rounding approaches.

The above description discloses several methods and materials of thepresent invention. This invention is susceptible to modifications in themethods and materials, as well as alterations in the fabrication methodsand equipment. Such modifications will become apparent to those skilledin the art from a consideration of this disclosure or practice of theinvention disclosed herein. Consequently, it is not intended that thisinvention be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, butthat it cover all modifications and alternatives coming within the truescope and spirit of the invention as embodied in the attached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for distribution of an item, the systemcomprising: a plurality of storage units each comprising a plurality ofreceptacles; a first control unit associated with a first of theplurality of storage units, the first control unit configured to trackavailability status of each of the plurality of receptacles of the firststorage unit, and to selectively allow access to at least one of theplurality of receptacles of the first storage unit; a user directory,the user directory including user provided delivery preferences, whereinthe delivery preferences include a preference for a first attemptpersonal delivery, and a plurality of preferred delivery storage unitsincluding the first storage unit with identification of an order ofpreference of the preferred storage units; and a system control unitconfigured to communicatingly interact with the first control unit andwith the user directory, wherein the system control unit receivesinformation relating to the availability of the receptacles of the firstcontrol unit and directs transfer of items to the first of the pluralityof storage units based on the availability of the receptacles; whereinthe system control unit is further configured to determine whetherdelivery preferences for an intended recipient of the item are presentin the user directory, and whether a first attempt personal delivery hasbeen attempted, and to direct transfer of the one of the items to thefirst storage unit based on the order of preference of the preferredstorage unit and the availability of a receptacle in the first storageunit; and wherein the system control unit is further configured toreceive notification from the first control unit identifying the storageunit containing the item, and to provide the notification to theintended recipient of the item.
 2. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a first database at the system control unit.
 3. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the first control unit is configured to transmit theavailability status of at least one of the plurality of receptacles ofthe first storage unit to the system control unit.
 4. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the first database comprises information relating tothe availability of the plurality of receptacles of the first storageunit.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the notification furthercomprises an identification of the receptacle which contains the item atthe first storage unit.
 6. A method of controlling a system fordistribution of an item, the system including a plurality of storageunits each comprising at least two receptacles and a local control unit,a system control unit, and a user directory, the method comprising:determining, in a processor of a first local control unit, theavailability status of at least one of the at least two receptacles in afirst of the plurality of storage units; transmitting a message to thesystem control unit, wherein the message includes the availabilitystatus of the at least one of the at least two receptacles in the firststorage unit; determining, in the system control unit, whether recipientprovided delivery preferences for an intended recipient of the item arestored in the user directory, the delivery preferences including: apreference for a first attempt personal delivery, and a plurality ofpreferred delivery storage units with identification of an order ofpreference of the preferred storage units; determining in the systemcontrol unit whether a first attempt personal delivery for the item hasoccurred; directing transfer of the item to the first storage unit ifthe first attempt personal delivery was unsuccessful and based on theorder of preference and availability of a receptacle in the firststorage unit; and notifying the intended recipient of the item that theitem is in the first storage unit.
 7. The method of claim 6, furthercomprising receiving, in the first control unit, recipientidentification information.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprisingallowing access to the first storage unit if the recipientidentification information identifies a registered recipient.
 9. Asystem for distribution of an item, the system including at least tworeceptacles and a user directory, the system comprising: means fordetermining the availability status of at least one of the at least tworeceptacles in a first of the plurality of storage units; means fortransmitting a message, wherein the message includes the availabilitystatus of the at least one of the at least two receptacles in the firststorage unit; means for determining whether recipient provided deliverypreferences for an intended recipient of the item are stored in the userdirectory, the delivery preferences including a preference for a firstattempt personal delivery, a plurality of preferred delivery storageunits with identification of an order of preference of the preferredstorage units and a default storage unit, and determining whether afirst attempt personal delivery for the item has occurred; means fordirecting transfer of the item to the first storage unit if the firstattempt personal delivery was unsuccessful and based on the order ofpreference and availability of a receptacle in the first storage unit;and means for notifying an intended recipient of the item identifyingthe first storage unit that contains the item.
 10. A system fordistribution of an item, the system comprising: a plurality of storageunits, each comprising a receptacle; a control unit configured toselectively allow access to a receptacle of a first one of the pluralityof storage units; a recipient directory, the recipient directoryincluding recipient provided delivery preferences wherein the deliverypreferences include a first attempt personal delivery, and a pluralityof preferred delivery storage units with identification of an order ofpreference of the preferred storage units; wherein the control unit isconfigured to determine whether a first attempt personal delivery hasoccurred, and to direct transfer of the item to the receptacle of thefirst of the plurality of storage units based on the order of preferenceand the availability of the receptacle in the first storage unit; andwherein the control unit is further configured to allow access to thereceptacle of the first storage unit if the first attempt personaldelivery was unsuccessful.
 11. The system of claim 10, furthercomprising a first database at the control unit.
 12. The system of claim11, wherein the first database comprises information relating to theavailability of the receptacles of the first storage unit.
 13. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein the control unit is further configured toallow deposit of the item into the receptacle of the first storage unitif the first attempt personal delivery was unsuccessful.
 14. The systemof claim 13 wherein the control unit is further configured to process anotification to the intended recipient that the item is in thereceptacle.
 15. A method for distribution of an item, the methodcomprising: storing, in a recipient directory in a memory device,recipient provided delivery preferences wherein the delivery preferencesinclude a first attempt personal delivery, and a plurality of preferreddelivery storage units with identification of an order of preference ofthe preferred storage units; determining, using a control unit, whethera first attempt personal delivery has occurred; directing, if the firstattempt personal delivery was unsuccessful, transfer of the item to areceptacle of a first of the plurality of storage units, based on theorder of preference and the availability of the receptacle in the firststorage unit; and allowing, using the control unit, access to thereceptacle of the first storage unit if the first attempt personaldelivery was unsuccessful.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising receiving, in the control unit, recipient identificationinformation.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising allowingaccess to the receptacle of the first storage unit if the recipientidentification information identifies a registered recipient.
 18. Themethod of claim 15 further comprising allowing, using the control unit,deposit of an item into the receptacle of the first storage unit if thefirst attempt personal delivery was unsuccessful.
 19. The method ofclaim 18 further comprising providing a notification to the intendedrecipient that the item is in the receptacle.